What are the really unusual or weird computers?

[Billy Pettit]

Jay West wrote: 
 
SortofKindaNotReally
 
MicroData Reality machines were firmware implementations of Pick (Reality), 
not software implementations. As a result, you couldn't actually 
microprogram the thing as an end user (normally).
 
There *WAS* an EEPROM board that would replace the firmware board, but I 
don't believe that was typically released to the field.
 
I used to have two M1600's (the early ones with the wood panels). One of 
them did have the EEPROM microcode option but I do know that particular unit

was sent out from microdata "under the table". I had let these two machines 
slip through my fingers many years ago, long before I got into collecting. 
BUT - on the bright side - I found out a year or so ago that those two 
machines actually did wind up in the hands of another collector who is known

to another listmember!
 
I now have an M1600 that is the later metal panel variety, waiting to be 
restored.
 
Even on the software implementations (which the microdata's weren't), you 
could create new missionary instructions from native instructions by playing

some games in the 5-pass assembly process. However, this wouldn't 
technically be considered microprogramming as the "native" instructions 
would be just whatever the underlying cpu was (68000, PDP11, RS6000, x86, 
etc.). So you could create new virtual instructions, but still not really 
microprogramming.
 
Jay
 
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I always thought the early MicroData systems were different from the Reality
series.  Looks like I was wrong.  (Where is Jim Stephens when you need him?
He has all these systems and the software to go with them.)
 
Billy