Information about computers (Cases, Laptops & More)

[67caravel]

Roger,

Unbelievable! I have the exact same Sinclair set-up - built from a kit in '79 or '80 - even the 16K expansion module... Wow!

I'm liking you guys more and more!

X

[53flyingcloud]

Originally Posted by 85MH325

Ah... the VIC 20!!! And the Atari, the TI 994A, The Apple II. 300 baud modems and 160k single-sided floppies. Those were the days... I still have my first PC... a Sinclair ZX81 with a whopping 1k internal RAM and 16k external RAM module; black and white TV-analog monitor, and a "compact cassette" for serial storage. Wow... those were the days... My all-time favorite machine tho was my Radio Shack TRS80-Model 100 laptop. One of the very first, and most elegant for it's time. Just think, 53FC, my Sinclair is older than some of the folks on the forums!!!

FWIW, I currently use an NEC Mobilepro 900 with WIFI as my on-the-go computer. What a machine!

Roger

Roger,
You rock~!!
How did we ever get by with 300 baud?? Audio coupled at that`!~!
Lucky you..I could never afford the TRS sys back then...lol
I still have the VIC20 system as well~! Even the tape player that was used to load programs~!! GAWD..How times have changed..(We had, what?? a total of 2 or 3 kb to work with then? gawd~
It was fun then but, who would ever wanta go back to writing their own program again..?? EVER~?
I'll tell you, as much as I've cursed Bill Gates, after WIN95 came out, he did pave the way for all of us. Anyone says different, needs to go and try to write their own program~!!

[53flyingcloud]

Possible Media Center for Airstream..
While surfing the internet, I came upon this design which, looks promising as an complete package for your Airstream. Cost wise, not bad at all either~
Key Feature
Hi-Fi Audio + Performance PC + HomeTheater
AM/FM Radio Tuner w/ Antenna Kit
Audio CD Player
MP3 Music CD Player
Front Panel LCM Display
Provided Remote Controller
6-in-1 Card Reader Function



ciao
53FC
link to website:
http://www.directpc.ca/controler.jsp...0&from=session

[Silvertwinkie]

I remember those days.......

I still have my Apple 2c and Apple 2gs and picked up an Apple II+ from the dumpster at work. Still works! I have a shoebox full of software when I used to pirate the software. Those were good times!

I remember using BBSs with my 300 baud modem and then how cool I thought my 1200 and 2400 baud modems were. Also had the TI99 4a with the tape. Didn't really care for that too much though.

You know I was on eBay a few days ago.....anyone else notice that Apple II+ systems are going for hundreds of dollars? It's like some cult is out there.

I hear ya 53. My buddy love to build his own too. It is fun. I helped one time.

[59toaster]

How does the computer get rid of head in that box? Heat and fast processores do not get along.

My bud was running several Servers out of his house. He had to put a window A/C in to keep them happy He has Central Air. At one point before the Window A/C He had the servers laying on their side with the hard drives laying in the open with fans on them.

[53flyingcloud]

Originally Posted by 59toaster

How does the computer get rid of head in that box? Heat and fast processores do not get along.

My bud was running several Servers out of his house. He had to put a window A/C in to keep them happy He has Central Air. At one point before the Window A/C He had the servers laying on their side with the hard drives laying in the open with fans on them.

If you visit to the website, you'll see examples of cabinets that show fans on one side and, as well as, the backside is open like the regular puter cases~

ciao
53FC

[mtpalms]

Originally Posted by Xray

Ever notice how those desktop users always get so defensive?

'53, I think your system sounds terrific - would love to have it. I just wouldn't want to haul it around on my back all day!

X

Erm, that's what these are for: , right? So the thinner-skinned amongst us understand that we're just kidding around.

I admire anybody who can build their system, I was just under the impression that the topic was which type of computer works best for people on the road. For me the TiBook's fine, but I have a friend who does sound work in the movies on location - obviously he needs more than a laptop and a 2.5 mp Kodak (off topic - I've got to get a better camera as soon as I can afford it). Folks that live out of their rigs might be better off with a desktop system - I know the LCD on a laptop is not optimum - yet.
One of these days we'll be able to roll all the components up like scrolls and carry the equivalent of the Terascale Cluster in our overhead bins.

Edit: Might make it tough for the modders at first thogh.

[RivetED]

Originally Posted by 59toaster

...At one point before the Window A/C He had the servers laying on their side with the hard drives laying in the open with fans on them.

In 1972 I was an engr. for Burroughs (anyone remember them?) & was installing a B-3500 mainframe for a bank in Cambridge, MA. The other mainframe there was a GE/Spectra-7, their entire row of washing machine sized disks were 'skinless' & each had a 19" box-fan (a la local hrdwr. store) blowing on them to keep 'em from overheating & crashing! Boy have times changed in 30+ yrs!!

[Andrew Selking]

Ed you must be older than I Thought if you can remember computers in 1972.
I was in the seveth grade then we had no idea what a computer was , my how times have changed.

Andrew Selking
WBCCI #6062 VAC

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by 53FlyingCloud

Terry
[color=blue]From reading your reply, I think you misunderstood something.
Namely, the HD is inside the 'puter~! It's just that, I can remove or change over to another HD via the front panel. In other words, I don't have to open the puter's case to switch over to another HD.. This allows me to be able to keep right on working even if something were to go wrong with one, by just switching HD. (like HD failure, etc.) In the beginning, I had WINXP on two of the HD and, WINME on the third. I'm thinking of switching over to Linux on the third HD and, use it to get familiar with that O/S..
ciao
53FC

That makes more sense. Speaking of removable things, I just got rid of my old TRS80 when I moved last month...along with a bunch of other obsolete computer stuff. No room now.
Terry

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Andrew Selking

Ed you must be older than I Thought if you can remember computers in 1972.
I was in the seveth grade then we had no idea what a computer was , my how times have changed.

Andrew Selking
WBCCI #6062 VAC

At that point I was carrying armloads of punchcards containing all the students' information, grades, etc. for printing report cards. And woe to the person that dropped said armload...
Terry

[85MH325]

Originally Posted by Ed & Debbie

In 1972 I was an engr. for Burroughs (anyone remember them?) & was installing a B-3500 mainframe for a bank in Cambridge, MA. The other mainframe there was a GE/Spectra-7, their entire row of washing machine sized disks were 'skinless' & each had a 19" box-fan (a la local hrdwr. store) blowing on them to keep 'em from overheating & crashing! Boy have times changed in 30+ yrs!!

In 1972 we actually had a real-live (OMG-gee-whiz technology) time-share dumb terminal at my high school that was connected to the University of Iowa mainframe so we could run our cobol programs. I have never felt so clueless in my life as trying to figure out computers in the early '70s! Swore I'd NEVER lay another hand on one... So much for oaths...

Roger

[RivetED]

Originally Posted by Andrew Selking

Ed you must be older than I Thought if you can remember computers in 1972.
I was in the seveth grade then we had no idea what a computer was , my how times have changed.

The problem is I was already working on them in '72, post-grad! ...you remember, we powered 'em directly with coal & steam, electricity hadn't become practical 'back then') !

[85MH325]

Originally Posted by Ed & Debbie

The problem is I was already working on them in '72, post-grad! ...you remember, we powered 'em directly with coal & steam, electricity hadn't become practical 'back then') !

Hey, Ed... you know I was thinking about pulling my V10 powerplant and replacing it with one of those Babbage Engines... whadya think?

Roger

[RivetED]

Originally Posted by 85MH325

Hey, Ed... you know I was thinking about pulling my V10 powerplant and replacing it with one of those Babbage Engines... whadya think?

Roger

Roger, just make sure the tens to hundreds 'carry tine' is clear before pulling the lever or it'll jam!!!! what a "folly" you'll have!!!!

[53flyingcloud]

Originally Posted by Ed & Debbie

The problem is I was already working on them in '72, post-grad! ...you remember, we powered 'em directly with coal & steam, electricity hadn't become practical 'back then') !

Ed&Debbie~
What do you think of the Ole Sperry-Rand puters? I never worked on one as I WAS TOO young then but, my Uncle worked for them back in the early 50's~! He actually appeared on this TV show that 'aired' back then for a dating service. Sorta like matching people based on what the puter said...lmao, it flopped~big time.
My first exposure to puter language was in '65, when I took a college course on writing programs.. It was all in pure math~!~Big time. As best I can remember it now, it was all in x' and y's and the voltage switching of those crossing to achieve the logic one or zero~
The original purpose was to give a design matching character to the upcoming cork flooring that, I hope to one-day get in the Sovereign..That's how come I found these cabinets..
ciao
53FC

[59toaster]

My Dad was a CE for IBM starting in the 60's. He work on such wonderful storage devices as Punch card machines. Did a lot of repair work for the Mainframes used by the Big 3 in Detroit. Drove around with about 6 of them HUGE platter discs in the truck on his car. They were worth more then the car.

[overlander63]

Two computers were talking, and the first one said: "101110101110001010101001100101011010101010101 "
And the other replied: "0101111000101010101010"
Sorry, very old computer joke....
Terry

[bugsbunny]

Hi Flying Cloud,

My husband just built one of the MSI computers and put it in our newly acquired 86 MH. We will take pictures in a few days once the trim pieces are around it. It works well. He bought the chassis at the local Comp USA (Nashua) and built the computer.

Flying Cloud we just live up the road from you. PM me if you want to come by and I will send you directions!. The MH is in the front yard currently as we are waiting for the rain to stop and yard to dry from the winter snow to build our MH barn.

Kathy

[RivetED]

Originally Posted by 53FlyingCloud

[b]Ed&Debbie~
What do you think of the Ole Sperry-Rand puters? 53FC

If memory serves me; Univac, Sperry, Rand, Burroughs, & ?? are still somewhat alive under the Unisys name. Not unlike Digital & Compac which are now under HP. Wonder what happened to Data General & Wang?