Arty computers (was: Re: PDP-11/70 in Yates Center, KS)

[Richard]

In article <m1HCPfY-000J0sC at p850ug1>,
    ard at p850ug1.demon.co.uk (Tony Duell)  writes:

> > (...or "artless" computers. TRS-80 model 1?)
> 
> You know, for all I have a soft spot for the Model 1 (it was my first 
> real computer), I am inclined to agree with you. There's nothing 
> interesting about the design, neither electroically or mechanically. 
> There's nothing particularly bad about it either (at least not compared 
> to one of its contemporaries), but it's just not interesting...

I remember looking at one when it came out -- I had been using a
PDP-11/70 running RSTS/E over 300 (sometimes 1800) baud lines.  The
terminals were either LA-36 or Beehive or Tektronix 4010 depending on
what was available at the moment.

We all went down to the Radio Shack to check out the Model I.  The
case felt like *very* cheap plastic, even for RS standards.  The
keyboard was clunky and while not as bad as the chiclet keyboard on
the PET, it still wasn't something I wanted to type on.  The lack of
lower case was a major turn-off for me.  The whole thing just felt
dorky.

Even now that the collecting bug has hit me, I don't miss this machine :)
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