2N2/256-BSCP

[Allison]

>
>Subject: Re: Re : 2N2/256-BSCP
>   From: Dave McGuire <mcguire at neurotica.com>
>   Date: Mon, 24 Dec 2007 11:08:01 -0500
>     To: "General Discussion: On-Topic Posts Only" <cctech at classiccmp.org>
>
>On Dec 24, 2007, at 3:56 AM, ard at p850ug1.demon.co.uk wrote:
>>>> Given that there's a limit on the number of transistors, I don't
>>>> see what
>>>> advantage using SOT23s would give you.
>>>
>>>    It'd be easier to assemble.
>>
>> Only if you don't spend hours looking for the transistors that flew off
>> the end of your tweezers :-).
>
>   Oh, SOT23s are easy to deal with.  01005-size components are the ones 
>that just disappear without a trace.
>
>> My point is that while SOT23s didn't exist 40 years ago, there is no 
>> real
>> reason to prohibit them in a project like this. Limit the number of
>> transistors, sure. Insist on an architecture that could be built 40 
>> years
>> ago, sure. But should the use of a storage 'scope to debug the thing be
>> prohibited too, on the grounds that hobbyists 40 yrars ago were lucky 
>> to
>> have _any_ 'scope? Do you prohibit writing simulators for the
>> transistorised machine, on the grounds that 40 years ago hobbyists
>> wouldn't have had anything to run them on?
>
>   I'd have to agree.

Actually the Accutron watch used a very small tansistor to excite the 
tuning fork  the package was a three legged item of .095" diameter
and 0.130 long with the 3 leads exiting the end.  I've had 4 of them 
in my parts collection for over 35 years looking for a small project.

Small existed back then.  Keep in mind the Apollo Guidence computer
is over 40 years old and that was 3input nor gates!

Transistor computers were near their end 40 years ago with ICs making 
inroads.  So comments on predominently transistor computers really 
have to point to prior to around 1968ish and thats within a week of 
40 years ago.   The interesting transistor machines are in the time 
frame of TX1 through PDP-8 roughly 1957 to 1967 (someon can fine 
tune those days).

Anywho the dividing line is around 1963 and prior for germainium
transistors (grown and diffused junctions types) and after then for 
silicon devices with superior characteristics.


Allison


>
>           -Dave
>
>--
>Dave McGuire
>Port Charlotte, FL