Msg: 6689 *Conference*
07-24-96 19:22:43
From: THOMAS MCKEAN
To : ALL
Subj: ORPHAN COMPUTERS
I recently Logged on and downloaded all the new messages, which for me was from May on. I noticed several references to various orphan computers. I thought I would leave a post to tell you all what I have in my orphan computer collection. There seems to be an interest. TRS-80 MODEL 100: In fact I have three of these. Two have only 8k RAM, though. The third has a BP and DeskLink, as you read in the previous message. OSBORNE 1: In perfect condition so far as I know. I have a lot of software for it, too. I never use it, though. I hate that tiny, 52 column screen. I am not, however, unappreciative of the fact it even exists. If Adam Osborne did not make the Osborne 1, we would not have the notebook (not to mention palmtop) computers we have today. I once had an Osborne Executive. Can't remember what happened to it. One thing I would like to add to my collection is an Osborne Vixen. That would be a mighty fine catch. Anyone out there have one they are willing to part with? KAYPRO II/83: This is a "luggable" computer, like the old Osbornes. I bought it off of a cute girl I know but she never gave me the software for it. I keep bugging her for the software so I know I will eventually get it. Too bad it is not compatible with the... KAYPRO 4/84: This is my favorite of the old systems. And I have more software for the Kaypro probably than anyone else on Earth. (If that is something to be proud of. Not sure it is? Is Rick proud of his Tandy software collection?) This Kaypro and I went through much together before I retired it to use the 486 I now have. The last thing I did with it was use WordStar IV to write the proceedings for the first international conference on autism. I was fortunate to be a speaker at that conference, which was held in Toronto in 1993. IBM LUGGABLE: I have one of the few left. The "*original*" IBM luggable computer. It was upgraded when I bought it to include a 20 meg HD and I further modified it to have a 720k 3.5 inch drive. This puppy even has a game port. :) PANASONIC LUGGABLE: Very similar to the IBM luggable. Though it has only 10 meg HD and no expansion slots. :( One very interesting feature that it DOES have however is that there is a printer built into it. So far as I know, it is the only "luggable" with this feature. The printer can be either thermal or dot matrix, depending on what you want and what kind of paper you have. IBM CONVERTABLE: Anyone remember these? It was kind of like a modular laptop. You could "connect" features to the back of it, thus "converting" the computer. I have the main laptop, all docs and software, plus I have the serial/parallel port module and also the printer module. And I have the original carrying case that the whole system came in. It has very interesting multi-tasking software. This machine was ahead of its time. TI 99/4A To date it has NEVER been plugged in or turned on. I don't even know if it works. I assume it does, though. I don't see why it wouldn't. NEC PORTABLE COMPUTER 8401A-LS: For those asking the obvious question, the answer is YES, it is the "Starlet." I have the laptop plus all original docs (both are in "like new" condition) and I even have *gasp* a DATAPAC from NODE Electronics! :) The DATAPAC is only 128k, however. But it sure is better than nothing. EPSON GENEVA (PX-8): Apparently this was a machine in high demand when it came out. I have the laptop, plus WS and BASIC and lots of other software on ROM chips. I also have the complete original docs and I have an add on, kind of like the Booster Pack, which includes a direct connect modem, a 64k RAMdisk, and a few other nice features. This also came with an Epson CX-20, which is the Epson version of an acoustic coupler. Both are in perfect condition. I used the Epson for a long time while I served on the national board of directors of the ASA. Then I got a 386 laptop and retired the Epson. The CX-20 is the only acoustic coupler I have ever seen that has a Ni-Cad battery in it. That makes it still useful for payphones, even if it *is* only 300 baud. It is also interesting to note that the BASIC built in on the ROM chip can have up to FIVE programs loaded at once, and you can port code and data between the five areas. EPSON HX-20: Compatible only with itself, this has a whopping display of something like 20x4. Not all that great. It did come with all the docs, the optional micro cassette drive (which you "plug in" and it becomes a part of the computer) and a hard carry/travel case. It also has a printer built into it. But it takes calculator paper, so it is not much help either. You can have I think up to 6 programs loaded in the computer at once. But 3 or 4 of them have to be BASIC programs. TIMEX SINCLAIR ZX-81: Yeppers, I have one of those micro beasties. :) FYI, there is an emulator available for MS-DOS machines. It is in the public domain. If anyone wants to recapture a simple, more elegant time in computer history, I can maybe upload it to this BBS. This is the really tiny computer that connected to your TV and had the membrane keyboard. Mine came with docs and the optional 16k RAM pac. Back then, 16k was all you needed. In fact, it was way beyond what you needed. Those days are long gone. The emulator is very true to the original. ****************** That about does it for the computers. I have other things sitting with all of these on my "technology shelf" here in my condominium. For instance, I have something called an "Eye Typer." This is a device which replaces the keyboard on your computer and allows you to "type" using only your eyes. Well, one eye, actually. You first "calibrate" the Eye Typer to your retina, then you can type by "moving" your eye to a particular "letter" that is on the Eye Typer. It has the numbers and symbols and delete and arrow keys, but nothing like page up or page down or end or scroll lock. It was made (obviously) for quadraplegics. I also have a "Bliss Symbol Scanner." I won't bother describing it, as I don't think I can. Maybe a few of you know what it is. Also sitting on the shelves is a wireless Nintendo joystick and a voice changer for the telephone, among many other odds and ends, now all obsolete. stc