Collections of (physically) large computers

[Jules Richardson]

Tony Duell wrote:
>> so what does this make the Sinclair ZX-80, ZX-81 and Spectrum systems?
> 
> The exception that proves the rule ? :-) (I couldn't resist either).
> 
>> (I am not even sure you *could* type in the commands, I think you *had*
>> to press the appropriate function key).
> 
> You do. It saved them having to fit a tokenising routine into the ROM.

to nit-pick:

a) didn't the later Spectrums (128, +2, +3) with '128 BASIC' let you type the 
commands without the keyword system?

b) At least on the 16K / 48K Spectrums (not sure about the ZX80 or '81) there 
was a 'feature' of ZX BASIC whereby through some key combination you could 
delete a keyword but the BASIC wouldn't drop back to keyword mode properly. Of 
course it doesn't count because the interpreter then wouldn't make sense of 
anything typed, but getting out of keyword mode *was* possible ;)

> So how do you distinguish 'calculator' from 'computer'? 

A calculator calculates, a computer computes? ;-) I suppose it depends purely 
on the designer's intended primary usage - from looks (display type, key 
layout, and I hate to say it - size) it's often pretty obvious that something 
is mainly designed for one particular use - but there are cases where it 
functions (at least) adequately for the 'other' use too.

Heck, back to Spectrums, I remember that the +2 had a built-in calculator 
application... (what were the other main menu options? 128 BASIC, Spectrum 
BASIC, Calculator, but I'm sure there was at least one other)

cheers

Jules