[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Chris via cctalk]

 And I seem to recall a Rich Cini that used to have an MPX-16. Wish there was a 
list about that also ...
 On Sunday, January 8, 2023, 01:50:03 PM EST, Richard Cini via cctalk 
 wrote:  
 
 I remember it from when I subscribed. I just did a quick check and they ran 
the article in late-1987 and 1988. It would be a neat project for sure. I took 
a quick look at the parts list and the only two things that jumped out at me is 
that there is a delay line and a PAL; everything else still looked to be 
available. Bitsavers has an archive of some good info on it 
(http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/peripheralTechnology/).

Rich

-- 
Rich Cini 
http://cini.classiccmp.org  
http://altair32.classiccmp.org  




On 1/7/23, 12:56 PM, "Wouter de Waal via cctalk" mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org>> wrote:


Hi all


I get the digest so I lag.


>From: skogkatt...@yahoo.com 
>
>It's a IBM PC form factor 68000 based project that was featured in 
>Radio Electronics. Anyone remember it or even know what I'm talking 
>about? It would be a fun prokect.


Come on over to "List: mailto:f...@flexusergroup.com>>" there are people 
still running those.


Peter Stark passed away September last year.


There's also Ingo Cyliax' 68030 box, also PC form-factor and ISA.


W 






  

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Richard Cini via cctalk]

I remember it from when I subscribed. I just did a quick check and they ran the 
article in late-1987 and 1988. It would be a neat project for sure. I took a 
quick look at the parts list and the only two things that jumped out at me is 
that there is a delay line and a PAL; everything else still looked to be 
available. Bitsavers has an archive of some good info on it 
(http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/peripheralTechnology/).

Rich

-- 
Rich Cini 
http://cini.classiccmp.org  
http://altair32.classiccmp.org  




On 1/7/23, 12:56 PM, "Wouter de Waal via cctalk" mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org>> wrote:


Hi all


I get the digest so I lag.


>From: skogkatt...@yahoo.com 
>
>It's a IBM PC form factor 68000 based project that was featured in 
>Radio Electronics. Anyone remember it or even know what I'm talking 
>about? It would be a fun prokect.


Come on over to "List: mailto:f...@flexusergroup.com>>" there are people 
still running those.


Peter Stark passed away September last year.


There's also Ingo Cyliax' 68030 box, also PC form-factor and ISA.


W 

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Mike Katz via cctalk]

I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Peter Stark.  He was a great 
teacher and program and friend.  He befriended me when I was in my late 
teens and early 20's when he was still teaching at SUNY.


On 1/7/2023 11:49 AM, Wouter de Waal via cctalk wrote:

Hi all

I get the digest so I lag.


From: skogkatt...@yahoo.com

It's a IBM PC form factor 68000 based project that was featured in 
Radio Electronics. Anyone remember it or even know what I'm talking 
about? It would be a fun prokect.


Come on over to "List: " there are people 
still running those.


Peter Stark passed away September last year.

There's also Ingo Cyliax' 68030 box, also PC form-factor and ISA.

W

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Wouter de Waal via cctalk]

Hi all

I get the digest so I lag.


From: skogkatt...@yahoo.com

It's a IBM PC form factor 68000 based project that was featured in 
Radio Electronics. Anyone remember it or even know what I'm talking 
about? It would be a fun prokect.


Come on over to "List: " there are people 
still running those.


Peter Stark passed away September last year.

There's also Ingo Cyliax' 68030 box, also PC form-factor and ISA.

W 

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Fred Cisin via cctalk]

Naah.

If you were big time, then you spent your time with legal battles, 
marketing, etc. and didn't get a chance to play with the fun stuff.





On Thu, 29 Dec 2022, Chris via cctalk wrote:


So Columbia, Compaq, Circuit Cellar?

It probably wouldn't have been dirt cheap to put together, over a grand, which 
was not a lot considering. But it seems he must have fumbled the ball. He could 
habe been really big time.

On Wednesday, December 28, 2022, 08:36:15 PM EST, Will Cooke via cctalk 
 wrote:

I should probably put the right parts in.
https://circuitcellar.com/cc-blog/ciarcia-onward-upward/


"Let me warn any budding entrepreneurs that these four events test your 
gambling tactics more than your business acumen. In my case, Ciarcia’s Circuit 
Cellar was the product 30 years ago, along with the supporting manufacturing 
company. It grew quickly and afforded certain luxuries (e.g., Porsches, BMWs, 
Ferraris, etc.) typically necessary in our culture to designate achievement. Too 
little business was not an issue.

The “too much business” event happened right after the introduction of the IBM PC. 
Circuit Cellar was the third company in the country to market an IBM PC clone. I 
thought it was a good idea. Everybody who couldn’t get a real IBM PC started banging 
on our door for an MPX-16. We got $1 million in orders in just a few weeks! What was 
I supposed to do? Certainly not what 99% of you would have done—I stopped taking 
orders!"




On 12/28/2022 6:42 PM CST Will Cooke via cctalk  wrote:



On 12/28/2022 6:21 PM CST Chris via cctalk  wrote:


I do seem to recall some off the wall looking case in the articles. I'm not 
going to reread them right now. I was under the misconceived assumption these 
would all be foumd in such a case.


Apparently they sold a LOT of them, according to Steve in this article:
Let me warn any budding entrepreneurs that these four events test your gambling 
tactics more than your business acumen. In my case, Ciarcia’s Circuit Cellar 
was the product 30 years ago, along with the supporting manufacturing company. 
It grew quickly and afforded certain luxuries (e.g., Porsches, BMWs, Ferraris, 
etc.) typically necessary in our culture to designate achievement. Too little 
business was not an issue.

Will


I do not think you can name many great inventions that have been made by 
married men. Nikola Tesla

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Chris via cctalk]

 So Columbia, Compaq, Circuit Cellar?

It probably wouldn't have been dirt cheap to put together, over a grand, which 
was not a lot considering. But it seems he must have fumbled the ball. He could 
habe been really big time.

 On Wednesday, December 28, 2022, 08:36:15 PM EST, Will Cooke via cctalk 
 wrote:  
 
 I should probably put the right parts in.
https://circuitcellar.com/cc-blog/ciarcia-onward-upward/


"Let me warn any budding entrepreneurs that these four events test your 
gambling tactics more than your business acumen. In my case, Ciarcia’s Circuit 
Cellar was the product 30 years ago, along with the supporting manufacturing 
company. It grew quickly and afforded certain luxuries (e.g., Porsches, BMWs, 
Ferraris, etc.) typically necessary in our culture to designate achievement. 
Too little business was not an issue.

The “too much business” event happened right after the introduction of the IBM 
PC. Circuit Cellar was the third company in the country to market an IBM PC 
clone. I thought it was a good idea. Everybody who couldn’t get a real IBM PC 
started banging on our door for an MPX-16. We got $1 million in orders in just 
a few weeks! What was I supposed to do? Certainly not what 99% of you would 
have done—I stopped taking orders!"



> On 12/28/2022 6:42 PM CST Will Cooke via cctalk  wrote:
> 
> 
> > On 12/28/2022 6:21 PM CST Chris via cctalk  wrote:
> > 
> > 
> > I do seem to recall some off the wall looking case in the articles. I'm not 
> > going to reread them right now. I was under the misconceived assumption 
> > these would all be foumd in such a case.
> > 
> Apparently they sold a LOT of them, according to Steve in this article:
> Let me warn any budding entrepreneurs that these four events test your 
> gambling tactics more than your business acumen. In my case, Ciarcia’s 
> Circuit Cellar was the product 30 years ago, along with the supporting 
> manufacturing company. It grew quickly and afforded certain luxuries (e.g., 
> Porsches, BMWs, Ferraris, etc.) typically necessary in our culture to 
> designate achievement. Too little business was not an issue.
> 
> Will

I do not think you can name many great inventions that have been made by 
married men. Nikola Tesla
  

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Chris via cctalk]

 I just want to know if Desmet will run on it. IT'S A JOKE

But then again maybe there was a Desmet for 68k. Hmmm.  

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Tony Jones via cctalk]

On Tue, Dec 27, 2022 at 7:56 PM Jim Brain via cctalk 
wrote:

> "Build the PT-68K"
> Oct 1987 and Nov 1987 and Dec 1987 and Jan 1988 and Feb 1988 and Apr
> 1988 and May 1988 and Jun 1988 and Jul 1988 and Aug 1988 and Sept 1988
> and Dec 1988 and Jan 1989
>


On Tue, Dec 27, 2022 at 7:57 PM Will Cooke via cctalk 
wrote:

> I don't know which issues it's in, but they are all here:
> https://worldradiohistory.com/Radio_Electronics%20_Master_Page.htm


Wow reading those old articles is interesting.  Reminds one how far we've
moved from the computer hobbyist era, truly a byegone era.  Of course I'd
forgotten how magazines spooned out an article 4 pages per month to
maintain subscriptions.  If only they had foreseen the era of Netflix
binging.

I merged all the issues,  removed all the unrelated pages,  deskewed and
OCRd.If anyone is interested (assuming the info is public domain) I can
upload somewhere.

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Will Cooke via cctalk]

I should probably put the right parts in.
https://circuitcellar.com/cc-blog/ciarcia-onward-upward/


"Let me warn any budding entrepreneurs that these four events test your 
gambling tactics more than your business acumen. In my case, Ciarcia’s Circuit 
Cellar was the product 30 years ago, along with the supporting manufacturing 
company. It grew quickly and afforded certain luxuries (e.g., Porsches, BMWs, 
Ferraris, etc.) typically necessary in our culture to designate achievement. 
Too little business was not an issue.

The “too much business” event happened right after the introduction of the IBM 
PC. Circuit Cellar was the third company in the country to market an IBM PC 
clone. I thought it was a good idea. Everybody who couldn’t get a real IBM PC 
started banging on our door for an MPX-16. We got $1 million in orders in just 
a few weeks! What was I supposed to do? Certainly not what 99% of you would 
have done—I stopped taking orders!"



> On 12/28/2022 6:42 PM CST Will Cooke via cctalk  wrote:
> 
> 
> > On 12/28/2022 6:21 PM CST Chris via cctalk  wrote:
> > 
> > 
> > I do seem to recall some off the wall looking case in the articles. I'm not 
> > going to reread them right now. I was under the misconceived assumption 
> > these would all be foumd in such a case.
> > 
> Apparently they sold a LOT of them, according to Steve in this article:
> Let me warn any budding entrepreneurs that these four events test your 
> gambling tactics more than your business acumen. In my case, Ciarcia’s 
> Circuit Cellar was the product 30 years ago, along with the supporting 
> manufacturing company. It grew quickly and afforded certain luxuries (e.g., 
> Porsches, BMWs, Ferraris, etc.) typically necessary in our culture to 
> designate achievement. Too little business was not an issue.
> 
> Will

I do not think you can name many great inventions that have been made by 
married men. Nikola Tesla

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Will Cooke via cctalk]

> On 12/28/2022 6:21 PM CST Chris via cctalk  wrote:
> 
> 
> I do seem to recall some off the wall looking case in the articles. I'm not 
> going to reread them right now. I was under the misconceived assumption these 
> would all be foumd in such a case.
> 
Apparently they sold a LOT of them, according to Steve in this article:
Let me warn any budding entrepreneurs that these four events test your gambling 
tactics more than your business acumen. In my case, Ciarcia’s Circuit Cellar 
was the product 30 years ago, along with the supporting manufacturing company. 
It grew quickly and afforded certain luxuries (e.g., Porsches, BMWs, Ferraris, 
etc.) typically necessary in our culture to designate achievement. Too little 
business was not an issue.

Will

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Fred Cisin via cctalk]

On Thu, 29 Dec 2022, Chris via cctalk wrote:
I do seem to recall some off the wall looking case in the articles. I'm 
not going to reread them right now. I was under the misconceived 
assumption these would all be foumd in such a case.


The two that I had both came as just motherboards.
I put one, along with an ordinary 5160 power supply (had to make a cable) 
into an aftermarket case for 5150/5160, using the 5150 back panel, which 
gave me external access to every other slot of the MPX-16.

I considered putting into a Compaq luggable case.

The other one sat on top of an issue of MicroTimes, on top of a two drawer 
file cabinet, with disk drives and the power supply sitting next to it. 
That power supply, which happened to come along with that motherboard was 
long and thin, and didn't fit anything else that I owned.  I had a 
terminal on another file cabinet next to it.

I think that I ran MS-DOS 2.00

I don't remember them being offered in cases, ready to use, but they may 
well have been, despite my not being interested in that configuration.


In those days, I sometimes soldered sockets onto bare generic xt/5160 
motherboards.



--
Grumpy Ol' Fred ci...@xenosoft.com


On Wednesday, December 28, 2022, 06:40:38 PM EST, Fred Cisin via cctalk 
 wrote:

Not likely to show up.

They looked generally like a PC motherboard.
They had 9 62 pin ISA slots, with alternate (5) positioned same as 5150
(could use a 5150 case), and then another 4 placed in between those.
(for those who don't remember, 5150 (PC) had 5 slots; 5160 (XT) had 8
slots, but the spacing was different.  Also, one slot of the XT had
"timing difference(s)", so IBM filled it with a "FREE" serial port, so
that people wouldn't plug other boards into it.)


I MIGHT have had one in an aftermarket 5150 case (same as aftermarket 5160
case, but with removable back slot panel, with a 5 slot panel)
One was loose - instead of a case, it rested on top of an issue of
MicroTimes.

I did not have top covers on many of my machines.

--
Grumpy Ol' Fred            ci...@xenosoft.com


On Wed, 28 Dec 2022, Sellam Abraham via cctalk wrote:


Fred,

Those don't sound familiar, are they SBCs?

If I did end up with them, it's a crap shoot as to whether they'll turn up
or not.  I was left with 20% of the collection and I've gone through about
25% of that 20%, and I re-discover neat and interesting stuff all the time
as I continue to dig through boxes.

Sellam

On Wed, Dec 28, 2022 at 2:48 PM Fred Cisin via cctalk 
wrote:


On Wed, 28 Dec 2022, Chris via cctalk wrote:

What was the name of Steve Ciarcia's outfit, Micromint? I see no entries
for that. That bizarro-world IBM compatible he offered years ago is
insane enough to love. Want to build me one.


micromint MPX-16

I had two of them, one having the optional board for 5150/5160 keyboard.
I ran the DeSmet compiler on them.

20? years ago, I had to give away a lot of stuff, including them.  I think
that Sellam got them, but much of his collection was lost.

--
Grumpy Ol' Fred                ci...@xenosoft.com

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Chris via cctalk]

 I do seem to recall some off the wall looking case in the articles. I'm not 
going to reread them right now. I was under the misconceived assumption these 
would all be foumd in such a case.


 On Wednesday, December 28, 2022, 06:40:38 PM EST, Fred Cisin via cctalk 
 wrote:  
 
 Not likely to show up.

They looked generally like a PC motherboard.
They had 9 62 pin ISA slots, with alternate (5) positioned same as 5150 
(could use a 5150 case), and then another 4 placed in between those.
(for those who don't remember, 5150 (PC) had 5 slots; 5160 (XT) had 8 
slots, but the spacing was different.  Also, one slot of the XT had 
"timing difference(s)", so IBM filled it with a "FREE" serial port, so 
that people wouldn't plug other boards into it.)


I MIGHT have had one in an aftermarket 5150 case (same as aftermarket 5160 
case, but with removable back slot panel, with a 5 slot panel)
One was loose - instead of a case, it rested on top of an issue of 
MicroTimes.

I did not have top covers on many of my machines.

--
Grumpy Ol' Fred            ci...@xenosoft.com


On Wed, 28 Dec 2022, Sellam Abraham via cctalk wrote:

> Fred,
>
> Those don't sound familiar, are they SBCs?
>
> If I did end up with them, it's a crap shoot as to whether they'll turn up
> or not.  I was left with 20% of the collection and I've gone through about
> 25% of that 20%, and I re-discover neat and interesting stuff all the time
> as I continue to dig through boxes.
>
> Sellam
>
> On Wed, Dec 28, 2022 at 2:48 PM Fred Cisin via cctalk 
> wrote:
>
>> On Wed, 28 Dec 2022, Chris via cctalk wrote:
>>> What was the name of Steve Ciarcia's outfit, Micromint? I see no entries
>>> for that. That bizarro-world IBM compatible he offered years ago is
>>> insane enough to love. Want to build me one.
>>
>> micromint MPX-16
>>
>> I had two of them, one having the optional board for 5150/5160 keyboard.
>> I ran the DeSmet compiler on them.
>>
>> 20? years ago, I had to give away a lot of stuff, including them.  I think
>> that Sellam got them, but much of his collection was lost.
>>
>> --
>> Grumpy Ol' Fred                ci...@xenosoft.com
>>
  

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Fred Cisin via cctalk]

Not likely to show up.

They looked generally like a PC motherboard.
They had 9 62 pin ISA slots, with alternate (5) positioned same as 5150 
(could use a 5150 case), and then another 4 placed in between those.
(for those who don't remember, 5150 (PC) had 5 slots; 5160 (XT) had 8 
slots, but the spacing was different.  Also, one slot of the XT had 
"timing difference(s)", so IBM filled it with a "FREE" serial port, so 
that people wouldn't plug other boards into it.)



I MIGHT have had one in an aftermarket 5150 case (same as aftermarket 5160 
case, but with removable back slot panel, with a 5 slot panel)
One was loose - instead of a case, it rested on top of an issue of 
MicroTimes.


I did not have top covers on many of my machines.

--
Grumpy Ol' Fred ci...@xenosoft.com


On Wed, 28 Dec 2022, Sellam Abraham via cctalk wrote:


Fred,

Those don't sound familiar, are they SBCs?

If I did end up with them, it's a crap shoot as to whether they'll turn up
or not.  I was left with 20% of the collection and I've gone through about
25% of that 20%, and I re-discover neat and interesting stuff all the time
as I continue to dig through boxes.

Sellam

On Wed, Dec 28, 2022 at 2:48 PM Fred Cisin via cctalk 
wrote:


On Wed, 28 Dec 2022, Chris via cctalk wrote:

What was the name of Steve Ciarcia's outfit, Micromint? I see no entries
for that. That bizarro-world IBM compatible he offered years ago is
insane enough to love. Want to build me one.


micromint MPX-16

I had two of them, one having the optional board for 5150/5160 keyboard.
I ran the DeSmet compiler on them.

20? years ago, I had to give away a lot of stuff, including them.  I think
that Sellam got them, but much of his collection was lost.

--
Grumpy Ol' Fred ci...@xenosoft.com

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Sellam Abraham via cctalk]

Fred,

Those don't sound familiar, are they SBCs?

If I did end up with them, it's a crap shoot as to whether they'll turn up
or not.  I was left with 20% of the collection and I've gone through about
25% of that 20%, and I re-discover neat and interesting stuff all the time
as I continue to dig through boxes.

Sellam

On Wed, Dec 28, 2022 at 2:48 PM Fred Cisin via cctalk 
wrote:

> On Wed, 28 Dec 2022, Chris via cctalk wrote:
> > What was the name of Steve Ciarcia's outfit, Micromint? I see no entries
> > for that. That bizarro-world IBM compatible he offered years ago is
> > insane enough to love. Want to build me one.
>
> micromint MPX-16
>
> I had two of them, one having the optional board for 5150/5160 keyboard.
> I ran the DeSmet compiler on them.
>
> 20? years ago, I had to give away a lot of stuff, including them.  I think
> that Sellam got them, but much of his collection was lost.
>
> --
> Grumpy Ol' Fred ci...@xenosoft.com
>

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Fred Cisin via cctalk]

On Wed, 28 Dec 2022, Chris via cctalk wrote:
What was the name of Steve Ciarcia's outfit, Micromint? I see no entries 
for that. That bizarro-world IBM compatible he offered years ago is 
insane enough to love. Want to build me one.


micromint MPX-16

I had two of them, one having the optional board for 5150/5160 keyboard.
I ran the DeSmet compiler on them.

20? years ago, I had to give away a lot of stuff, including them.  I think 
that Sellam got them, but much of his collection was lost.


--
Grumpy Ol' Fred ci...@xenosoft.com

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Chris via cctalk]

 I contacted CCI years ago. I didn't know he acquired it. Inquiry sent.  

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Wayne S via cctalk]

Circuitcellar magazine is still around. I think Steve sold it a while ago then 
bought it back just a few years ago. Try contacting him at 
https://circuitcellar.com

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 28, 2022, at 14:07, Will Cooke via cctalk  wrote:

Yeah, I know it's just one page of one article of a series of them. The rest 
are in the pages of Byte, which are on the same web site. There is also a story 
about it on the web, written by Steve. With the name and date from that one 
page, a quick search turns up lots of stuff.

On 12/28/2022 4:02 PM CST Chris via cctalk  wrote:


That's only page 1 lol.

Artwork for the board/s never was published as I recall. I wonder if he still 
has it.
On Wednesday, December 28, 2022, 04:58:34 PM EST, Will Cooke via cctalk 
 wrote:



On 12/28/2022 3:36 PM CST Chris via cctalk  wrote:


What was the name of Steve Ciarcia's outfit, Micromint? I see no entries for 
that. That bizarro-world IBM compatible he offered years ago is insane enough 
to love. Want to build me one.
His company was Micromint. The computer was the MPX-16

https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Consumer/Archive-Byte-IDX/IDX/80s/82-83/Byte-1982-12-OCR-Page-0044.pdf

I do not think you can name many great inventions that have been made by 
married men. Nikola Tesla

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Will Cooke via cctalk]

Yeah, I know it's just one page of one article of a series of them. The rest 
are in the pages of Byte, which are on the same web site. There is also a story 
about it on the web, written by Steve. With the name and date from that one 
page, a quick search turns up lots of stuff.

> On 12/28/2022 4:02 PM CST Chris via cctalk  wrote:
> 
> 
> That's only page 1 lol.
> 
> Artwork for the board/s never was published as I recall. I wonder if he still 
> has it.
> On Wednesday, December 28, 2022, 04:58:34 PM EST, Will Cooke via cctalk 
>  wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> > On 12/28/2022 3:36 PM CST Chris via cctalk  wrote:
> > 
> > 
> > What was the name of Steve Ciarcia's outfit, Micromint? I see no entries 
> > for that. That bizarro-world IBM compatible he offered years ago is insane 
> > enough to love. Want to build me one.
> His company was Micromint. The computer was the MPX-16
> 
> https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Consumer/Archive-Byte-IDX/IDX/80s/82-83/Byte-1982-12-OCR-Page-0044.pdf

I do not think you can name many great inventions that have been made by 
married men. Nikola Tesla

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Chris via cctalk]

 That's only page 1 lol. 

Artwork for the board/s never was published as I recall. I wonder if he still 
has it.
 On Wednesday, December 28, 2022, 04:58:34 PM EST, Will Cooke via cctalk 
 wrote:  
 
 

> On 12/28/2022 3:36 PM CST Chris via cctalk  wrote:
> 
> 
> What was the name of Steve Ciarcia's outfit, Micromint? I see no entries for 
> that. That bizarro-world IBM compatible he offered years ago is insane enough 
> to love. Want to build me one.

His company was Micromint.  The computer was the MPX-16

https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Consumer/Archive-Byte-IDX/IDX/80s/82-83/Byte-1982-12-OCR-Page-0044.pdf
  

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Will Cooke via cctalk]

> On 12/28/2022 3:36 PM CST Chris via cctalk  wrote:
> 
> 
> What was the name of Steve Ciarcia's outfit, Micromint? I see no entries for 
> that. That bizarro-world IBM compatible he offered years ago is insane enough 
> to love. Want to build me one.

His company was Micromint.  The computer was the MPX-16

https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Consumer/Archive-Byte-IDX/IDX/80s/82-83/Byte-1982-12-OCR-Page-0044.pdf

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Chris via cctalk]

 What was the name of Steve Ciarcia's outfit, Micromint? I see no entries for 
that. That bizarro-world IBM compatible he offered years ago is insane enough 
to love. Want to build me one.  

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Chris via cctalk]

 
This file (mp68k4.zip)?:

http://bitsavers.org/bits/PeripheralTechnology/

That file contains the original roms as supplied with tne Radio Electronics 
version? On Wednesday, December 28, 2022, 04:05:51 PM EST, Chris Hanson via 
cctalk  wrote:  
 
 On Dec 27, 2022, at 7:47 PM, Will Cooke via cctalk  
wrote:
> 
>> On 12/27/2022 9:36 PM CST Chris via cctalk  wrote:
>> 
>> Those are for a different board. Maybe close enough?
> 
> If you read the description it says the only difference is the clock chip, 
> which I believe is "fully" compatible.

That’s the difference between the PT68K1 and PT68K1A. The system featured in 
Peter Stark’s “Build the PT-68K” series in Radio-Electronics was actually the 
PT68K2, which is the version with PC-XT slots, keyboard support, and PCB 
size/layout. There don’t seem to be ROM images on the web site for that.

They do exist on Bitsavers, look for Peripheral Technology.

  — Chris

  

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Chris Hanson via cctalk]

On Dec 27, 2022, at 7:47 PM, Will Cooke via cctalk  
wrote:
> 
>> On 12/27/2022 9:36 PM CST Chris via cctalk  wrote:
>> 
>> Those are for a different board. Maybe close enough?
> 
> If you read the description it says the only difference is the clock chip, 
> which I believe is "fully" compatible.

That’s the difference between the PT68K1 and PT68K1A. The system featured in 
Peter Stark’s “Build the PT-68K” series in Radio-Electronics was actually the 
PT68K2, which is the version with PC-XT slots, keyboard support, and PCB 
size/layout. There don’t seem to be ROM images on the web site for that.

They do exist on Bitsavers, look for Peripheral Technology.

  — Chris

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Alexander Jacocks via cctalk]

> On Dec 28, 2022, at 1:31 AM, Bill Degnan via cctalk  
> wrote:
> 
> Thanks everyone who responded.  I believe I have all of these in the
> library at Kennet Classic, donated by the Wilmington public library.  We
> rescued them from the trash heap.
> Bill

That looks like an exceptionally cool project. If anyone here thinking of 
recreating the gerbers? I’d be interested in a board if that happens.

There are a number of 68000 based machines currently available, but this one is 
quite appealing due to the ease of expansion.

- Alex

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Bill Degnan via cctalk]

Thanks everyone who responded.  I believe I have all of these in the
library at Kennet Classic, donated by the Wilmington public library.  We
rescued them from the trash heap.
Bill

On Tue, Dec 27, 2022 at 11:29 PM Chris via cctalk 
wrote:

>  "While not necessarily the basis fir the pt68k, there was a similar
> European project computer that was touched on a month or 2 earlier. I have
> not seen or heard any other mention anywhere else though. The box they had
> it in had an exceptionally sexy bezel."
>
> March and May 1987. It was nothing more then an intro to a project they
> could have featured. But that bezel!

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Chris via cctalk]

 "While not necessarily the basis fir the pt68k, there was a similar European 
project computer that was touched on a month or 2 earlier. I have not seen or 
heard any other mention anywhere else though. The box they had it in had an 
exceptionally sexy bezel."

March and May 1987. It was nothing more then an intro to a project they could 
have featured. But that bezel!  

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Will Cooke via cctalk]

> On 12/27/2022 9:57 PM CST Will Cooke via cctalk  wrote:
> 
> 
> > On 12/27/2022 9:52 PM CST Bill Degnan via cctalk  
> > wrote:
> > 
> > 
> > Which issue of Radio Electronics?
> > Bill
> > 
> I don't know which issues it's in, but they are all here:
> https://worldradiohistory.com/Radio_Electronics%20_Master_Page.htm

They appear to start in Oct 87 and there is one article on DRAM for it as late 
as June 88.
https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Radio-Electronics/80s/1987/Radio-Electronics-1987-10.pdf

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Chris via cctalk]

 While not necessarily the basis fir the pt68k, there was a similar European 
project computer that was touched on a month or 2 earlier. I have not seen or 
heard any other mention anywhere else though. The box they had it in had an 
exceptionally sexy bezel.

There was also Fidel Castros Cuban computer. I want to say that was 8088 based, 
but don't really know. Hell they're probably still using them!

 On Tuesday, December 27, 2022, 10:57:46 PM EST, Will Cooke via cctalk 
 wrote:  
 
 

> On 12/27/2022 9:52 PM CST Bill Degnan via cctalk  
> wrote:
> 
> 
> Which issue of Radio Electronics?
> Bill
> 
I don't know which issues it's in, but they are all here:
https://worldradiohistory.com/Radio_Electronics%20_Master_Page.htm
  

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Will Cooke via cctalk]

> On 12/27/2022 9:52 PM CST Bill Degnan via cctalk  
> wrote:
> 
> 
> Which issue of Radio Electronics?
> Bill
> 
I don't know which issues it's in, but they are all here:
https://worldradiohistory.com/Radio_Electronics%20_Master_Page.htm

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Jim Brain via cctalk]

On 12/27/2022 9:52 PM, Bill Degnan via cctalk wrote:

Which issue of Radio Electronics?

"Build the PT-68K"
Oct 1987 and Nov 1987 and Dec 1987 and Jan 1988 and Feb 1988 and Apr
1988 and May 1988 and Jun 1988 and Jul 1988 and Aug 1988 and Sept 1988

and Dec 1988 and Jan 1989

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Bill Degnan via cctalk]

Which issue of Radio Electronics?
Bill

On Tue, Dec 27, 2022 at 10:47 PM Will Cooke via cctalk <
cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:

>
>
> > On 12/27/2022 9:36 PM CST Chris via cctalk 
> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Those are for a different board. Maybe close enough?
> >
>
> If you read the description it says the only difference is the clock chip,
> which I believe is "fully" compatible.
>

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Will Cooke via cctalk]

> On 12/27/2022 9:36 PM CST Chris via cctalk  wrote:
> 
> 
> Those are for a different board. Maybe close enough?
> 

If you read the description it says the only difference is the clock chip, 
which I believe is "fully" compatible.

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Chris via cctalk]

 I don't have the whole range of articles, but often pcb artwork was included 
right in the magazine. Better then nuffin.


On Tuesday, December 27, 2022, 10:08:08 PM EST, Tony Jones via cctalk 
 wrote:


On Tue, Dec 27, 2022 at 7:04 PM Will Cooke via cctalk 
wrote:

> http://peripheraltech.com/PT68K2


$399-450. Ouch. Too bad there aren't open-source Gerbers as I have most
of the parts for this knocking around.


  

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Chris via cctalk]

 Those are for a different board. Maybe close enough?

 On Tuesday, December 27, 2022, 10:09:16 PM EST, Will Cooke via cctalk 
 wrote:  
 
 boot eprom download -- scroll down
https://peripheraltech.com/PT68K1A.htm



> On 12/27/2022 9:04 PM CST Chris via cctalk  wrote:
> 
> 
> What will you do for firmware? I do believe the developer was around, maybe 
> still is. But wanted an enormous amount of money.
> On Tuesday, December 27, 2022, 09:58:51 PM EST, Jim Brain via cctalk 
>  wrote:
> 
> On 12/27/2022 8:47 PM, Chris via cctalk wrote:
> > It's a IBM PC form factor 68000 based project that was featured in Radio 
> > Electronics. Anyone remember it or even know what I'm talking about? It 
> > would be a fun prokect.
> I remember it, and I believe I have all those issues, as a project to
> complete at some point.
> 
> Jim
> 
> --
> Jim Brain
> br...@jbrain.com
> www.jbrain.com

I do not think you can name many great inventions that have been made by 
married men. Nikola Tesla
  

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Will Cooke via cctalk]

boot eprom download -- scroll down
https://peripheraltech.com/PT68K1A.htm



> On 12/27/2022 9:04 PM CST Chris via cctalk  wrote:
> 
> 
> What will you do for firmware? I do believe the developer was around, maybe 
> still is. But wanted an enormous amount of money.
> On Tuesday, December 27, 2022, 09:58:51 PM EST, Jim Brain via cctalk 
>  wrote:
> 
> On 12/27/2022 8:47 PM, Chris via cctalk wrote:
> > It's a IBM PC form factor 68000 based project that was featured in Radio 
> > Electronics. Anyone remember it or even know what I'm talking about? It 
> > would be a fun prokect.
> I remember it, and I believe I have all those issues, as a project to
> complete at some point.
> 
> Jim
> 
> --
> Jim Brain
> br...@jbrain.com
> www.jbrain.com

I do not think you can name many great inventions that have been made by 
married men. Nikola Tesla

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Tony Jones via cctalk]

On Tue, Dec 27, 2022 at 7:04 PM Will Cooke via cctalk 
wrote:

> http://peripheraltech.com/PT68K2


$399-450.  Ouch.  Too bad there aren't open-source Gerbers as I have most
of the parts for this knocking around.

>
>
>
>
> > On 12/27/2022 8:58 PM CST Jim Brain via cctalk 
> wrote:
> >
> >
> > On 12/27/2022 8:47 PM, Chris via cctalk wrote:
> > > It's a IBM PC form factor 68000 based project that was featured in
> Radio Electronics. Anyone remember it or even know what I'm talking about?
> It would be a fun prokect.
> > I remember it, and I believe I have all those issues, as a project to
> > complete at some point.
> >
> > Jim
> >
> > --
> > Jim Brain
> > br...@jbrain.com
> > www.jbrain.com
>
> I do not think you can name many great inventions that have been made by
> married men. Nikola Tesla
>

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Chris via cctalk]

 What will you do for firmware? I do believe the developer was around, maybe 
still is. But wanted an enormous amount of money.
 On Tuesday, December 27, 2022, 09:58:51 PM EST, Jim Brain via cctalk 
 wrote:  
 
 On 12/27/2022 8:47 PM, Chris via cctalk wrote:
> It's a IBM PC form factor 68000 based project that was featured in Radio 
> Electronics. Anyone remember it or even know what I'm talking about? It would 
> be a fun prokect.

I remember it, and I believe I have all those issues, as a project to 
complete at some point.

Jim

-- 
Jim Brain
br...@jbrain.com
www.jbrain.com

  

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Will Cooke via cctalk]

http://peripheraltech.com/PT68K2



> On 12/27/2022 8:58 PM CST Jim Brain via cctalk  wrote:
> 
> 
> On 12/27/2022 8:47 PM, Chris via cctalk wrote:
> > It's a IBM PC form factor 68000 based project that was featured in Radio 
> > Electronics. Anyone remember it or even know what I'm talking about? It 
> > would be a fun prokect.
> I remember it, and I believe I have all those issues, as a project to
> complete at some point.
> 
> Jim
> 
> --
> Jim Brain
> br...@jbrain.com
> www.jbrain.com

I do not think you can name many great inventions that have been made by 
married men. Nikola Tesla

[cctalk] Re: PT-68K

[Jim Brain via cctalk]

On 12/27/2022 8:47 PM, Chris via cctalk wrote:

It's a IBM PC form factor 68000 based project that was featured in Radio 
Electronics. Anyone remember it or even know what I'm talking about? It would 
be a fun prokect.


I remember it, and I believe I have all those issues, as a project to 
complete at some point.


Jim

--
Jim Brain
br...@jbrain.com
www.jbrain.com