[cctalk] Re: Experience using an Altair 8800 ("Personal computer" from 70s)

It appears that one can determine what is a personal and/or a microcomputer that satisfies only the author. If one states that and believes it then that is all that’s necessary. I wrote a book based on this line of thinking and if a reader disagrees with me that is fine. I’m not declaring the true

[cctalk] Re: Experience using an Altair 8800 ("Personal computer" from 70s)

> On 05/31/2024 8:11 PM CDT CAREY SCHUG via cctalk > wrote: > > Sorry, WRONG. > > --Carey > Why do I feel like I'm observing a first grade classroom where the boys are arguing about whose dad can beat up the others? Grownups never understand anything by themselves and it is tiresome for ch

[cctalk] Re: Experience using an Altair 8800 ("Personal computer" from 70s)

It appears that I am in error. I see that micro-electronics or something similar can be used in a computer or computer-like device. If a non-uP machine accomplishes the same result then I bow to being corrected. I want/wish to learn new things. Happy computing, Murray 🙂 On Fri, May 31, 2024 at 8

[cctalk] Re: Experience using an Altair 8800 ("Personal computer" from 70s)

Sorry, WRONG. A computer type is "Personal" (capital P as a NAME for a class of computers) not based upon how ONE instance of it is used, but based upon the intent of its design and how many in practice. Musk could buy the lastest Frontier supercomputer and ONLY use it to play chess with himse

[cctalk] Re: Experience using an Altair 8800 ("Personal computer" from 70s)

I would accept a bit-slice. as I understand that, you take 8 of them and daisychain them to act on a byte of data. Many early minis used them afaik. --Carey > On 05/31/2024 7:29 PM CDT Brent Hilpert via cctalk > wrote: > > > On 2024May 31,, at 4:37 PM, Murray McCullough via cctalk > wro

[cctalk] Re: Experience using an Altair 8800 ("Personal computer" from 70s)

On 2024May 31,, at 4:37 PM, Murray McCullough via cctalk wrote: > On Fri, May 31, 2024 at 6:02 PM Dave Dunfield via cctalk > wrote: >> Liam Proven wrote: >>> It needs to have a microprocessor to qualify. >>> ... No µP = not a PC. >> >> Not entirely sure ... >> http://dunfield.classiccmp.org

[cctalk] Re: Experience using an Altair 8800 ("Personal computer" from 70s)

I quite agree. I do believe that a *u*P is the minimum that can be accepted to call a PC a microcomputer. Another is that it must be usable, i.e., non-programmable, for the average PC owner. Like a car one doesn't need to know how it works in order to drive/use a car to get from one place to anothe

[cctalk] Re: Experience using an Altair 8800 ("Personal computer" from 70s)

Liam Proven wrote: > It needs to have a microprocessor to qualify. > ... No µP = not a PC. Not entirely sure ... http://dunfield.classiccmp.org/primitiv Dave

[cctalk] Re: Windows, Was Re: Re: First Personal Computer

On May 31, 2024, at 9:29 AM, Doc Shipley via cctalk wrote: > > Can we do the "Which version of Windows is 'Classic' now?" flame war next? > > Pleeeze? > > > Doc I’m rather partial to “Bow Windows”, I feel they have a rather classic look. Zane

[cctalk] Re: Experience using an Altair 8800 ("Personal computer" from 70s)

Liam Proven via cctalk [31/05/2024 18.07]: My first fiancée's dad had what he reckoned was the first mainframe in Norway. Was it this: - in Norwegian, machine translation work ok.

[cctalk] Re: C. Gordon Bell, Creator of a Personal Computer Prototype, Dies at 89

In addition to the Goodyear STARAN computer, another tire company Firestone did built some interesting one off systems of unusual design. My first job out of college was with Firestone Central Research. While there, I became friends with William Clayton who was one of three of their research

[cctalk] Windows, Was Re: Re: First Personal Computer

On 5/30/24 07:29, Bill Degnan via cctalk wrote: On Thu, May 30, 2024 at 2:06 AM John Herron via cctalk < cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: Only because I thought it would be funny to hear ChatGPT's wrong answer. Here is ChatGPT's answer on the first personal computer. This would be a fun topic f

[cctalk] Re: Experience using an Altair 8800 ("Personal computer" from 70s)

On Tue, 28 May 2024 at 22:21, Fred Cisin via cctalk wrote: > > We can never agree on the definition. The blind men are fixxated on > individual features of the elephant. You have a point. You usually do, Fred. I am surprised one thing hasn't been mentioned yet. Any computer can be "personal" i

[cctalk] Re: interlace [was: NTSC TV demodulator ]

CAREY SCHUG wrote: > I think I tried a game on a flatscreen, and had issues. I've seen this lots - I'm not sure its entirely "interlace" - I tended to think more of the fact that CRT's scan causing the "pixel dots" to flash at high speed (not detectable to the human eye, but detecting a such a f