Msg: 6023 *Conference*

09-07-95 12:58:50

From: RON WIESEN

To : RICHARD HANSON

Subj: REPLY TO MSG #6012 (SOURCE CODE FOR OS)

From what I gather here at Club 100 the following letter is probably truthful.
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Dear Counselor:
 
The following computers are based on 1970's technology and are obsolete and
discontinued products.
 
 Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 100
 Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 102
 Tandy Model 200
 NEC PC8201a
 
They entered the market in 1983.  Police, journalists, and educators purchased
them in volume.  The dwindling few that survive today have been, and continue
to be, recycled among not for profit groups, educators, and hobbiests.  These
units suit earth scientists, meteorologists and geologists for example, who
benefit from data gathered at unattended sites where there is no power and no
protection from weather extremes.
 
As new needs arise the not for profit groups interwork with the educators who,
in turn, alert the hobbiests about the needs.  The hobbiests strive to realize
more of the potential of these computers, especially as it pertains to these
needs.  With benefit of the system source code, more potential can be realized.
 
Since I do not know who owns the system source code, I am contacting the legal
departments of the three companies originally involved in the development and
distribution of these computers.
 
Please assist me as best you can.
 
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