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

[Chuck Guzis]

On 31 Jan 2007 at 19:38, Richard wrote:

> 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.

You have no idea HOW dorky the thing looked if you were into S-100 or 
Multibus systems big-time.  As flimsy as the Altair was, the IMSAI 
box did set a direction.  My last S-100 box was a no-blinkin' lights 
heavy-duty Integrand box with active bus termination and a boat 
anchor of a linear PSU.  The manufacturer even included blueprints 
(as in real bluelines) with the boxes.  Bill Godbout was no slouch 
either with his boxes.

The TRS-80 looked, well, like something you'd buy at Radio Shack.

Cheers,
Chuck