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