[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Ethan Dicks via cctalk
On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 3:59 PM Bill Gunshannon via cctalk wrote: > I had some good sized iron in my home in the early 80's. We (my family - I put up 1/3, my mother covered the other 2/3) got a PET in 1979. I came home from my first Dayton Hamvention in 1982 with a PDP-8. If a high school kid

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Steve Lewis via cctalk
Thank you all for the notes (and feedback). The 1964 skit of Patty Duke using that Univac-422 - all the markings of a personal computer right there, no doubt. But dragging that into a home doesn't make it a home computer. As engineers, sure, we're good with that - I don't even put cases on my

[cctalk] Re: Using Flashfloppies on Professional 350 and 380--SOLVED

2023-03-08 Thread Christopher Zach via cctalk
Not sure yet. Will see in a week or so On March 8, 2023 1:42:58 PM EST, Lee Gleason via cctalk wrote: >"Holy smokes. Poking around on these disk images it looks like these system >have a FULL DECNET FILE SERVER as well." Are you referring to DECnet FAL on >the PRO, or the little known PRO

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Tarek Hoteit via cctalk
:) it makes sense, Sellam, to inform her rather than she telling us, but again she and others her age are the future. She will do it her way just like we, at her age, did it our way. Funny: i just remembered a quote from Goonies - “this is our time” It is their time Regards, Tarek

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Tarek Hoteit via cctalk
:) it makes sense, Sellam, to inform her rather than she telling us, but again she and others her age are the future. She will do it her way just like we, at her age, did it our way. Funny: i just remembered a quote from Goonies - “this is our time” It is their time Regards, Tarek

[cctalk] Re: IBM PS/2 Model 80 (8580-071) restoration

2023-03-08 Thread r.stricklin via cctalk
> On Mar 8, 2023, at 8:18 PM, Grant Taylor via cctalk > wrote: > > The label near the power switch says that it's an 8580-071. I have no idea > how that compares to the hardware that's in it. That would be 16 MHz, one 70 MB ESDI HDD (IBM 0667). Maximum 2 MB on the planar (2x 1 MB

[cctalk] Re: Age of Tape Formats?

2023-03-08 Thread Chuck Guzis via cctalk
On 3/8/23 19:23, Chris Elmquist wrote: > Who can read them now? ;-) I suppose that you could rig something up as a streaming rig, but the metal was murder on heads; the Univservo I interposed a thin plastic tape between the metal and the head. Fortunately, the density was pretty low. Not

[cctalk] IBM PS/2 Model 80 (8580-071) restoration

2023-03-08 Thread Grant Taylor via cctalk
Hi, I acquired an IBM PS/2 Model 80 (8580-071) today and am looking for advice on what I should do to check it out before, during, and after applying power for the first time. I'll try to get some pictures if anyone is interested. The label near the power switch says that it's an 8580-071.

[cctalk] Re: Age of Tape Formats?

2023-03-08 Thread Chris Elmquist via cctalk
> On Mar 8, 2023, at 4:18 PM, Chuck Guzis via cctalk > wrote: > > On 3/8/23 13:53, Sellam Abraham via cctalk wrote: >>> On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 1:39 PM Chuck Guzis via cctalk >>> >>> wrote: >>> >>> On the subject of 1/2" open-reel tape, I note that the tapes initially >>> used with the

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Brian L. Stuart via cctalk
On Wed, Mar 08, 2023 at 05:24:40AM -0600, Steve Lewis via cctalk wrote: > We're making final touches on a short history-video we've been making about > home computers (my daughter, in middle school, has been helping). > > If anyone has time/interest to do a review, the draft listing is here: >

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Bill Degnan via cctalk
On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 6:46 PM Jon Elson via cctalk wrote: > On 3/8/23 14:31, Bill Degnan via cctalk wrote: > > THe LGP-30 was to arguably the first personal electronic (non analog) > > computer, my opinion, but it covers all of the bases as I see them. A > > relatively small stand alone real

[cctalk] Re: Age of Tape Formats?

2023-03-08 Thread Sellam Abraham via cctalk
On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 2:16 PM Chuck Guzis via cctalk wrote: > On 3/8/23 13:53, Sellam Abraham via cctalk wrote: > > On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 1:39 PM Chuck Guzis via cctalk < > cctalk@classiccmp.org> > > wrote: > > > >> On the subject of 1/2" open-reel tape, I note that the tapes initially > >>

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Jon Elson via cctalk
On 3/8/23 14:31, Bill Degnan via cctalk wrote: THe LGP-30 was to arguably the first personal electronic (non analog) computer, my opinion, but it covers all of the bases as I see them. A relatively small stand alone real time general purpose electronic computer that one person could operate.

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Jon Elson via cctalk
On 3/8/23 14:18, Sellam Abraham via cctalk wrote: On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 11:54 AM Tarek Hoteit via cctalk < cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: I don’t think there is a strict definition of what a home computer is. One can argue Plato is one. Another might say Atari 2600. Someone can argue that the

[cctalk] NOS Tapes 3 X 3M DC 600A 60MB Cartridges (1991)...(speaking of tapes)

2023-03-08 Thread John Robertson via cctalk
Anyone interested in 3 tapes - has Olympics logo - still in original wrapping? Ether pick up at my shop or pay for postage and handling... John :-#)# -- John's Jukes Ltd. 7 - 3979 Marine Way, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5J 5E3 Call (604)872-5757 (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games)

[cctalk] Re: Age of Tape Formats?

2023-03-08 Thread Jon Elson via cctalk
On 3/8/23 13:03, Dennis Boone via cctalk wrote: > Wow! I'd love to see the 1971 vintage GCR tape controller, it must > have been the size of a 360 CPU! We had a GCR controller from > Storage Tech. in 1982 or so that was the same size as a PDP 11/44 > large cabinet. CDC Keystone drives

[cctalk] Re: Age of Tape Formats?

2023-03-08 Thread Zane Healy via cctalk
On Mar 8, 2023, at 10:07 AM, Chuck Guzis via cctalk wrote: > > I think it remarkable in retrospect that the original Star Trek (ca. > 1966) used countless mentions of "computer tapes" in the 23rd century. > > A lack of foresight on the part of the script writers? > > What can we predict for

[cctalk] Re: Age of Tape Formats?

2023-03-08 Thread Zane Healy via cctalk
> On Mar 8, 2023, at 8:31 AM, Jon Elson via cctalk > wrote: > > On 3/7/23 22:34, Zane Healy via cctalk wrote: >> >> I’ll be the first to admit my question is a bit strange. Basically I’m >> trying to use the date that various media types were first introduced to >> show the oldest

[cctalk] Re: Age of Tape Formats?

2023-03-08 Thread Chuck Guzis via cctalk
On 3/8/23 13:53, Sellam Abraham via cctalk wrote: > On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 1:39 PM Chuck Guzis via cctalk > wrote: > >> On the subject of 1/2" open-reel tape, I note that the tapes initially >> used with the IBM 726 drive (1952) used a cellulose acetate base. In >> 1956, a switch was made to

[cctalk] Re: Age of Tape Formats?

2023-03-08 Thread Sellam Abraham via cctalk
On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 1:39 PM Chuck Guzis via cctalk wrote: > On the subject of 1/2" open-reel tape, I note that the tapes initially > used with the IBM 726 drive (1952) used a cellulose acetate base. In > 1956, a switch was made to Mylar. That's unfortunate, since early > existing 726

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Fred Cisin via cctalk
About eight years later, I bought a TRS80 for $398. Yes, you could buy it without the video monitor and cassette recorder. If I had a little more spending money, I might have gotten a PET, instead, or, not much later, but more money, an Apple2. Those were absolutely not the first home computer,

[cctalk] Re: Age of Tape Formats?

2023-03-08 Thread Chuck Guzis via cctalk
On the subject of 1/2" open-reel tape, I note that the tapes initially used with the IBM 726 drive (1952) used a cellulose acetate base. In 1956, a switch was made to Mylar. That's unfortunate, since early existing 726 tapes have almost certainly rotted away due to vinegar syndrome. --Chuck

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Sellam Abraham via cctalk
On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 1:11 PM Fred Cisin via cctalk wrote: > About eight years later, I bought a TRS80 for $398. Yes, you could buy > it without the video monitor and cassette recorder. > If I had a little more spending money, I might have gotten a PET, instead, > or, not much later, but more

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Sellam Abraham via cctalk
On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 1:04 PM Bill Gunshannon via cctalk < cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > > On 3/8/2023 2:49 PM, Mike Katz via cctalk wrote: > > Don't forget that Heathkit had analog home computer kits in the 50's > > and 60's > > > > > > I forgot all about mt GE Analog computer from the late

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Fred Cisin via cctalk
I got into it from EAM/cards. In 1970, I was working at National Space Sciences Data Center, building 26 at Goddard Space Flight Center. Doing gofer work for a British physicist studying the Van Allen belts, as part of an on-site contract. FORTRAN, APL, Gerber digitizer, and plotters

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Bill Gunshannon via cctalk
On 3/8/2023 2:49 PM, Mike Katz via cctalk wrote: Don't forget that Heathkit had analog home computer kits in the 50's and 60's I forgot all about mt GE Analog computer from the late 50's. Still have it, it still works even though most of the insulation on the wiring has rotted away.  I

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Tarek Hoteit via cctalk
We can ask them by saying “we were at your age and had toys that we loved so much that we still talk about them 40 years or so later. If you have a toy that you want to preserve that for 40 years, what would you do?” Regards, Tarek Hoteit > On Mar 8, 2023, at 12:43 PM, Sellam Abraham via

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Bill Gunshannon via cctalk
On 3/8/2023 3:18 PM, Sellam Abraham via cctalk wrote: On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 11:54 AM Tarek Hoteit via cctalk < cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: I don’t think there is a strict definition of what a home computer is. One can argue Plato is one. Another might say Atari 2600. Someone can argue

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Tarek Hoteit via cctalk
Technically true. However, if I would reference the book “The Friendly Orange Glow” on the history of Plato, there is a chapter I recall in which the author mentioned someone taking a terminal to their home Regards, Tarek Hoteit > On Mar 8, 2023, at 12:56 PM, Bill Gunshannon via cctalk >

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Tarek Hoteit via cctalk
We can get them excited by thinking like them - videos (narrated by their kind not us) and we are in the background. We play old school games and make fun of the 8bit sounds in front of them. Some might get curious and say “why does this sound like that?” Or “why this graphic looks so

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Bill Gunshannon via cctalk
On 3/8/2023 2:54 PM, Tarek Hoteit via cctalk wrote: I don’t think there is a strict definition of what a home computer is. One can argue Plato is one. There must be a Plato I don't know about.  The one I saw when I was in IT at West Point was bigger than a desk.  Hardly what would have

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Bill Degnan via cctalk
I'd invite any one here to docent the museum for a day, it will provide a lot of perspective as to the general public view on computer history. I learned quickly you can't fire\hose people, kids in particular with a lot of factoids. Most people just want to walk around and look, they don't need a

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Tarek Hoteit via cctalk
That is great news. I think these kids saw the 90s as NES (Mario), Sega (Sonic), and their dads playing either Leisure Suite Larry and later Doom on the PC. I think we need to find a way to pull them to this news group, rather than them pulling us to their Discord chats, and then all of us

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Bill Degnan via cctalk
Running museum (kennettclassic.com) I meet with kids daily who are very interested in computing history. They all seem to know the Youtubers who specialize in vintage gaming and computing. These youtube channels are not always historically accurate but it's a start. Most younger people

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Will Cooke via cctalk
> On 03/08/2023 2:42 PM CST Sellam Abraham via cctalk > wrote: > > > On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 12:40 PM Will Cooke via cctalk > wrote: So, how do we get them interested? I > > can't think of a better idea than asking one of the few that IS > > interested. Can you? > > But ask them what

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Sellam Abraham via cctalk
On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 12:40 PM Will Cooke via cctalk wrote: > Everyone on this list is going to die sometime. Some sooner than later. > We need young people if all or any part of this history is going to be > preserved past us. All of the "museum" fiascos that have been covered here > show

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Fred Cisin via cctalk
Since we are never going to completely agree on "First", "computer", "home computer", "home computing", (using a a terminal with a remote computer) might I suggest the works of Edmund Berkeley. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geniac https://www.instructables.com/GENIAC-Electric-Brain-Replica/

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Will Cooke via cctalk
> On 03/08/2023 2:21 PM CST Sellam Abraham via cctalk > wrote: > > > On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 11:55 AM Will Cooke via cctalk > wrote: > > > > > > On 03/08/2023 11:59 AM CST Tarek Hoteit via cctalk < > > cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > > > > > > We probably need to get more advice from her

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Paul Berger via cctalk
On 2023-03-08 2:13 p.m., Bill Degnan via cctalk wrote: There is ample evidence of people doing personal computing before the microprocessor was invented. There was a whole terminal/time sharing scene in the late 60s, plus people who did personal computung by using the machine at a school,

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Bill Degnan via cctalk
THe LGP-30 was to arguably the first personal electronic (non analog) computer, my opinion, but it covers all of the bases as I see them. A relatively small stand alone real time general purpose electronic computer that one person could operate. Bill On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 3:22 PM Sellam Abraham

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Sellam Abraham via cctalk
On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 11:55 AM Will Cooke via cctalk wrote: > > > On 03/08/2023 11:59 AM CST Tarek Hoteit via cctalk < > cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > > > > > We probably need to get more advice from her on what we all, old-school > timers, should do to help keep the legacy going on ! > > > >

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Tarek Hoteit via cctalk
Thank you, Bill! When Steve posted the video about the history of computers, I thought something like “cool to see another video” But when he mentioned a middle schooler helping, that changed the entire perspective for me. I am close to 50. I have seen and been part of vintage and classic

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Sellam Abraham via cctalk
On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 11:54 AM Tarek Hoteit via cctalk < cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > I don’t think there is a strict definition of what a home computer is. One > can argue Plato is one. Another might say Atari 2600. Someone can argue > that the Altair is the first. A very good argument

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Sellam Abraham via cctalk
On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 11:54 AM Tarek Hoteit via cctalk < cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > I don’t think there is a strict definition of what a home computer is. One > can argue Plato is one. Another might say Atari 2600. Someone can argue > that the Altair is the first. It is unfair to make the

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Sellam Abraham via cctalk
On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 11:49 AM Mike Katz via cctalk wrote: > Don't forget that Heathkit had analog home computer kits in the 50's and > 60's > > > https://www.nutsvolts.com/magazine/article/restoring-the-heathkit-es-400-computer > >

[cctalk] Re: Age of Tape Formats?

2023-03-08 Thread Sellam Abraham via cctalk
Tom, What an excellent bibliography for the topic. Thank you. Sellam On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 11:45 AM Tom Gardner via cctalk < cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > If you want authoritative sources I highly recommend: > > *IBM J. RES. DEVELOP. • VOL. 25 • NO. 5 • SEPTEMBER 1981, has an >

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Will Cooke via cctalk
> On 03/08/2023 11:59 AM CST Tarek Hoteit via cctalk > wrote: > > We probably need to get more advice from her on what we all, old-school > timers, should do to help keep the legacy going on ! > > Regards, > Tarek Hoteit > That statement may be the most important one on this list in a

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Tarek Hoteit via cctalk
I don’t think there is a strict definition of what a home computer is. One can argue Plato is one. Another might say Atari 2600. Someone can argue that the Altair is the first. It is unfair to make the author of the video be 100% perfect because it is too technical / debatable for the video: is

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Bill Degnan via cctalk
and kenbak was not the first "home computer" when will that one die I don't know. ..NRI 832 pre-dates by at least 6 months :-) On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 2:49 PM Mike Katz via cctalk wrote: > Don't forget that Heathkit had analog home computer kits in the 50's and > 60's > > >

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Mike Katz via cctalk
Don't forget that Heathkit had analog home computer kits in the 50's and 60's https://www.nutsvolts.com/magazine/article/restoring-the-heathkit-es-400-computer https://s3data.computerhistory.org/brochures/heath.analog.1956.102646297.pdf

[cctalk] Re: Age of Tape Formats?

2023-03-08 Thread Tom Gardner via cctalk
If you want authoritative sources I highly recommend: *IBM J. RES. DEVELOP. • VOL. 25 • NO. 5 • SEPTEMBER 1981, has an article “Innovations in the Design of Magnetic Tape Subsystems” *IBM Journal of Research and Development Vol. 47, No. 4, July 2003 has an article “Fifty years

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Bill Degnan via cctalk
SO - To return to the video feedback - I think the author should comment on the evolution of what "Home Computing" is/was, the evolution in demographics of the home computer user, the cost, etc. Needs perspective Bill On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 2:41 PM Bill Degnan wrote: > My point was that "home

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Bill Degnan via cctalk
My point was that "home computing" does not equal playing computer games at home. That is something that evolved into the early 90's.Games were much less of a thing in home computing of the 70's. THere are always exceptions, there are always variations. It's not that games weren't there

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Paul Koning via cctalk
> On Mar 8, 2023, at 2:37 PM, > wrote: > > ... > Computer Games are almost as old as (Turing Complete) Computers. Alan Turing > insisted that the Manchester/Ferranti MK1 had a Random Number generator. > Christopher Strachey wrote a tic-tac-toe (noughts and crosses to the > English) program

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Dave Wade G4UGM via cctalk
> -Original Message- > From: Paul Koning via cctalk > Sent: Wednesday, March 8, 2023 7:25 PM > To: cctalk@classiccmp.org > Cc: Paul Koning > Subject: [cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers > > > > On Mar 8, 2023, at 2:13 PM, Bill Degnan via cctalk > wrote: > > > > There is ample

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Paul Koning via cctalk
> On Mar 8, 2023, at 2:13 PM, Bill Degnan via cctalk > wrote: > > There is ample evidence of people doing personal computing before the > microprocessor was invented. There was a whole terminal/time sharing scene > in the late 60s, plus people who did personal computung by using the >

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Bill Degnan via cctalk
There is ample evidence of people doing personal computing before the microprocessor was invented. There was a whole terminal/time sharing scene in the late 60s, plus people who did personal computung by using the machine at a school, work, or library. There were also people whonowned surplussed

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread John Herron via cctalk
Very informative and enjoyable. I echo the narration sentiment, maybe a little more life in the voice would hold attention. My only other comment is some of the information pictures go by pretty quickly. It'd be neat even in a slower slideshow version so I could take the time to read the ads and

[cctalk] Re: Age of Tape Formats?

2023-03-08 Thread Dennis Boone via cctalk
> Wow! I'd love to see the 1971 vintage GCR tape controller, it must > have been the size of a 360 CPU! We had a GCR controller from > Storage Tech. in 1982 or so that was the same size as a PDP 11/44 > large cabinet. CDC Keystone drives (92185) had it integrated into > the 680x controller

[cctalk] Re: Using Flashfloppies on Professional 350 and 380--SOLVED

2023-03-08 Thread Lee Gleason via cctalk
"Holy smokes. Poking around on these disk images it looks like these system have a FULL DECNET FILE SERVER as well." Are you referring to DECnet FAL on the PRO, or the little known PRO Cluster software? -- Lee K. Gleason N5ZMR Control-G Consultants lee.glea...@comcast.net

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Tarek Hoteit via cctalk
Yes. I second that. Having the daughter as a narrator is perfect. No offense, Steve. Regards, Tarek Hoteit > On Mar 8, 2023, at 10:09 AM, W2HX via cctalk wrote: > > I loved it. I would only suggest a human narrator like your daughter would > be great. But I don't like the computer

[cctalk] Re: Age of Tape Formats?

2023-03-08 Thread ben via cctalk
On 2023-03-08 11:07 a.m., Chuck Guzis via cctalk wrote: I think it remarkable in retrospect that the original Star Trek (ca. 1966) used countless mentions of "computer tapes" in the 23rd century. A lack of foresight on the part of the script writers? What can we predict for the year 2250?

[cctalk] Re: Age of Tape Formats?

2023-03-08 Thread Mike Katz via cctalk
I hate to throw a spanner in the works but no one has mentioned U-Matic tapes.  Normally used for video recording the early CD audio and CD-Rom industry encoded the digital image on to U-Matic tapes which were then used to drive the laser for writing to the CD Master. On 3/8/2023 11:42 AM,

[cctalk] Re: Age of Tape Formats?

2023-03-08 Thread Sellam Abraham via cctalk
On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 6:12 AM Paul Koning via cctalk wrote: > > I'm not familiar with PLATO cassettes. Are those attached to terminals? > The oldest data cassettes I know of are on the TI Silent 733 terminals -- > which were thought of as paper tape emulation done on audio cassettes, at > 300

[cctalk] Re: Age of Tape Formats?

2023-03-08 Thread Chuck Guzis via cctalk
On 3/8/23 10:19, Dave Wade G4UGM via cctalk wrote: > > Yes, but Space 1999 still had slide rules.. I thought this discussion by one of the JPL people working on the tape mechanism for Voyager (1980) might be interesting to some:

[cctalk] Re: Age of Tape Formats?

2023-03-08 Thread Dave Wade G4UGM via cctalk
> -Original Message- > From: Chuck Guzis via cctalk > Sent: Wednesday, March 8, 2023 6:08 PM > To: cctalk@classiccmp.org > Cc: Chuck Guzis > Subject: [cctalk] Re: Age of Tape Formats? > > I think it remarkable in retrospect that the original Star Trek (ca. > 1966) used countless

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread W2HX via cctalk
I loved it. I would only suggest a human narrator like your daughter would be great. But I don't like the computer generated narration (I am right about the computer narrator, aren't I?). -Original Message- From: Steve Lewis via cctalk Sent: Wednesday, March 8, 2023 11:54 AM To:

[cctalk] Re: Age of Tape Formats?

2023-03-08 Thread Chuck Guzis via cctalk
I think it remarkable in retrospect that the original Star Trek (ca. 1966) used countless mentions of "computer tapes" in the 23rd century. A lack of foresight on the part of the script writers? What can we predict for the year 2250? --Chuck

[cctalk] Re: Age of Tape Formats?

2023-03-08 Thread Chuck Guzis via cctalk
On 3/8/23 09:42, Paul Koning wrote: > Second, I would consider a format to be significant if it had a major market > presence and major place in the technology space. In that sense, DECtape I > clearly belongs -- being either the primary or a significant secondary > storage device for a

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Tarek Hoteit via cctalk
She made you proud!! If all our kids can get as excited and curious about the history of computers as your daughter then the future will be so bright. We probably need to get more advice from her on what we all, old-school timers, should do to help keep the legacy going on ! Regards, Tarek

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Adrian Godwin via cctalk
I like that you've included machines like the HP and IBM - sometimes these histories start with the Altair as being the first one at an affordable price, but I'm sure those desktop machines got to a lot of scientific homes before the enthusiasts machines began to appear. On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at

[cctalk] Re: Age of Tape Formats?

2023-03-08 Thread Paul Koning via cctalk
> On Mar 8, 2023, at 12:20 PM, Chuck Guzis via cctalk > wrote: > > On 3/8/23 06:19, Paul Koning wrote: > > >> I wouldn't exclude those, certainly not if they are relevant to the >> evolution of the technology. Are X1 tapes (and Eliott tapes if they are the >> same format, which I don't

[cctalk] Re: Age of Tape Formats?

2023-03-08 Thread Chuck Guzis via cctalk
On 3/8/23 06:19, Paul Koning wrote: > I wouldn't exclude those, certainly not if they are relevant to the evolution > of the technology. Are X1 tapes (and Eliott tapes if they are the same > format, which I don't know) in some way anticipating LINCtape and DECtape? > Are they an independent

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Steve Lewis via cctalk
Tarek, > This is awesome, Steve. First of all please give a high five to your middle-schooler daughter whom you had her help make such a high > quality video. I assume that such videos will also be shared at schools, and your daughter’s friends. It would help raise awareness on > the history of

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Steve Lewis via cctalk
Adrian, > There's a long tail to the video with no video and blank audio. After a > while, a section of audio from the main flow is repeated. Thanks, yeah that was a left over to compare an alternate ending. One idea is to make it such that the video can "loop" seamlessly for continuous

[cctalk] Re: Age of Tape Formats?

2023-03-08 Thread Jon Elson via cctalk
On 3/8/23 05:33, Dave Wade G4UGM via cctalk wrote: Our Honeywell H3200 had 1200BPI NRZI 7-track drives. http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/honeywell/datapro/70C-480-01_7404_Honeywell_200_2000.pdf page 13 onwards... Needed chrome tape Dave The reason NRZI topped out at 800 BPI on 9-track

[cctalk] Re: Age of Tape Formats?

2023-03-08 Thread Jon Elson via cctalk
Speaking of compatibility, we had a 360/50 many ages ago, and it was "permitted" to put the tape controller on the multiplexer channel.  This prevented long tape operations from locking up the disk controller on the selector channel.  The model /50 only had one selector.  But, if there was

[cctalk] Re: Age of Tape Formats?

2023-03-08 Thread Jon Elson via cctalk
On 3/7/23 22:34, Zane Healy via cctalk wrote: I’ll be the first to admit my question is a bit strange. Basically I’m trying to use the date that various media types were first introduced to show the oldest possible date for a bunch of media I’m trying to date. The 9-Track tapes have been

[cctalk] Re: Age of Tape Formats?

2023-03-08 Thread Paul Koning via cctalk
> On Mar 8, 2023, at 10:07 AM, Bill Gunshannon > wrote: > > > On 3/8/2023 9:11 AM, Paul Koning wrote: >> >>> On Mar 8, 2023, at 7:25 AM, Bill Gunshannon via cctalk >>> wrote: >>> >>> >>> On 3/7/2023 8:30 PM, Dennis Boone via cctalk wrote: > I’m working on a project, and I need to

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Tarek Hoteit via cctalk
This is awesome, Steve. First of all please give a high five to your middle-schooler daughter whom you had her help make such a high quality video. I assume that such videos will also be shared at schools, and your daughter’s friends. It would help raise awareness on the history of computers

[cctalk] Re: Age of Tape Formats?

2023-03-08 Thread Bill Gunshannon via cctalk
On 3/8/2023 9:11 AM, Paul Koning wrote: On Mar 8, 2023, at 7:25 AM, Bill Gunshannon via cctalk wrote: On 3/7/2023 8:30 PM, Dennis Boone via cctalk wrote: > I’m working on a project, and I need to know the age of various tape > formats. For example when were 6250bpi 700’ 9-Track

[cctalk] Re: Age of Tape Formats?

2023-03-08 Thread Paul Koning via cctalk
> On Mar 8, 2023, at 7:25 AM, Bill Gunshannon via cctalk > wrote: > > > On 3/7/2023 8:30 PM, Dennis Boone via cctalk wrote: >> > I’m working on a project, and I need to know the age of various tape >> > formats. For example when were 6250bpi 700’ 9-Track tapes or DC600A >> > cartridges

[cctalk] Re: Age of Tape Formats?

2023-03-08 Thread Adrian Godwin via cctalk
Some information about the origin of CUTS here : https://retrocomputing.stackexchange.com/questions/8099/whats-the-difference-between-kansas-city-tape-standard-and-cuts I recall a Logabax computer (a french office / accounting system that seems to e completely forgotten) in about 1975 that had a

[cctalk] Re: Age of Tape Formats?

2023-03-08 Thread Bill Gunshannon via cctalk
On 3/7/2023 8:30 PM, Dennis Boone via cctalk wrote: > I’m working on a project, and I need to know the age of various tape > formats. For example when were 6250bpi 700’ 9-Track tapes or DC600A > cartridges introduced? Is there any good resource online that > documents this?

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Adrian Godwin via cctalk
Not really technical, but a couple of presentation points : There's a long tail to the video with no video and blank audio. After a while, a section of audio from the main flow is repeated. It seems to be common to consider Youtube videos more approachable if they're up to about 10 minutes long.

[cctalk] Re: Age of Tape Formats?

2023-03-08 Thread Dave Wade G4UGM via cctalk
> -Original Message- > From: Zane Healy via cctalk > Sent: Wednesday, March 8, 2023 4:35 AM > To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts > Cc: Zane Healy > Subject: [cctalk] Re: Age of Tape Formats? > > On Mar 7, 2023, at 5:32 PM, Paul Koning via cctalk > wrote: > > > > I'm

[cctalk] on the origin of home computers

2023-03-08 Thread Steve Lewis via cctalk
Greetings, We're making final touches on a short history-video we've been making about home computers (my daughter, in middle school, has been helping). If anyone has time/interest to do a review, the draft listing is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9mgSVJZoFc Unless anyone spots a gross