first Classics (WAS Apollo DN systems)

[Roger Merchberger]

Rumor has it that Steven N. Hirsch may have mentioned these words:

>On Thu, 17 Aug 2006, Scott Quinn wrote:
>
> > You'll note this is pretty much limited to UNIX workstations, because of
> > my space limitations and my assumption that UNIX will make for a easier
> > transition.

One must ask oneself - transition *from what*? If one is "transitioning" 
from OS/400, I doubt there's any micro available that will be easier than 
any other... ;-)

>I have to reluctantly agree that Unix may not be the best entry into
>classic collecting.  My choice would be the Apple 2 series and/or
>Commodore VIC-20 and 64.  These are cheap and plentiful with lots of
>information and software available on the net.

Depends. If you are coming from a Unix/Linux world, *or* started out with 
the GWBASIC crowd, a Tandy (CoCo|Model3/4|etc.) might be easier to get 
accustomed to as there will be less of a learning curve with the Basic (or 
in the *nix case, OS-9 on a CoCo). Parts are still cheap, plentiful, and 
some are even swappable with the IBM scene; not to mention utilities to 
write to cross-platform floppies & whatnot; which is a bit tougher in the 
GCR world.

However, I agree that if it is your first foray into the world of classics, 
a small cheap 8-bitter is definitely the way to go.

[[ Oh and Will: When the other poster mentioned IBM, he might've been 
referencing AS/400 or System/36-type machines. I certainly wouldn't 
recommend anything of that vintage from IBM for a beginner! ;-) However, 
PowerPC vs. Sparc vs. Alpha vs. Mips vs. Geode vs. every other durned CPU 
*nix has been ported to really isn't an issue. ;-) ]]

Laterz,
Roger "Merch" Merchberger

--
Roger "Merch" Merchberger -- SysAdmin, Iceberg Computers
zmerch at 30below.com

What do you do when Life gives you lemons,
and you don't *like* lemonade?????????????