jueves, 21 de marzo de 2019
Fujitsu Biblo 110
Este bolígrafo y este portátil medían lo mismo: 17 cm de ancho. El resto de dimensiones del portátil también eran interesantes para la época: 23 cm de ancho y 1.1 Kg de peso. Su procesador era un Pentium MMX a 233 MHz, tenía 32 MB de RAM, un disco de 3.2 GB. La pantalla era una TFT de 8,4" con resolución 800x600. Su autonomía era de hasta 4 horas. Su precio (impuestos incluídos) era de algo más de 1.915 euros... de hace 20 años, marzo de 1999.
jueves, 14 de marzo de 2019
Más de 30 millones de Acer... hace 20 años
Era marzo de 1999, y ya por aquel entonces, este auncio decía que más de 30 millones de personas en el mundo tenían un Acer.
La compañía se había fundado casi 23 años antes, en 1976, y hoy en día sigue viva, tiene más de 7000 empleados y cerca de 95.000 puntos de venta... y sería difícil saber cuántos millones de personas usan sus ordenadores... y sus monitores... y sus smartphones... porque sólo en el primer trimestre de 2017 se estima que vendieron 3.3 millones de portátiles, y se mantienen de forma constante cerca de la sexta posición como fabricantes de PCs a nivel mundial (las estadísticas varían ligeramente por mes y según qué analista se consulte).
La compañía se había fundado casi 23 años antes, en 1976, y hoy en día sigue viva, tiene más de 7000 empleados y cerca de 95.000 puntos de venta... y sería difícil saber cuántos millones de personas usan sus ordenadores... y sus monitores... y sus smartphones... porque sólo en el primer trimestre de 2017 se estima que vendieron 3.3 millones de portátiles, y se mantienen de forma constante cerca de la sexta posición como fabricantes de PCs a nivel mundial (las estadísticas varían ligeramente por mes y según qué analista se consulte).
miércoles, 13 de marzo de 2019
De 386SX a 486 en 6 minutos
Hace 25 años, en marzo de 1994, los 486 eran lo habitual, y los Pentium ya se habían lanzado un año antes. ¿Qué hacer con los "antiguos" 386? En vez de renovarlos por completo, una alternativa era actualizarlos. Se podía cambiar el conjunto de placa base + procesador + memoria, conservando tarjeta gráfica, disco duro, caja, teclado y pantalla, pero otra alternativa algo más económica era un "actualización de procesador", que se conectara en el mismo zócalo del 386 pero internamente se comportara como un 486. Ya habíamos hablado de las actualizaciones de Cyrix, pero no fueron las únicas. También era el caso de esta, distribuida por "Total Memory and Media Ltd", que parecía estar basada de un procesador de Texas Instruments.
martes, 12 de marzo de 2019
El C más rápido que hayas visto
Microsoft C Compiler 4.0 decía ser rápido ("el más rápido en promedio", según una prueba de PcTech Journal) e incluso permitir romper la barrera de los 64 KB. Hoy en día, que los smartphones de gama media tienen 64 GB de almacenamiento, parece irrisorio, pero es que hablamos de un compilador para MsDos y de hace 32 años, en marzo de 1987...
lunes, 11 de marzo de 2019
Memotech, de la boca del autor
Los Memotech MTX fueron equipos de 8 bits minoritarios, basados en el procesador Z80 (al igual que los Spectrum, MSX y Amstrad CPC, entre otros). Su apariencia era elegante, pero no llegaron a ser un éxito de ventas y la empresa quebró en 1985. Hemos hablado de ellos con anterioridad, si quieres curiosear, pero ahora es el momento de un anuncio peculiar, un tanto anárquico, de hace 35 años (marzo de 1984), que usaba extractos de distintas revistas para promocionar sus bondades.
El texto completo (en inglés, y con los errores que se le puedan escapar a un OCR) era...
---
The MTX Series described; straight from the author's mouth
MANUAL
The first section (of the manual) is a basic tutorial. The grass roots information is here and I could not find any major mistakes. The second part is on Noddy giving a good guide as to how
it can be written... The third and fourth sections are on graphics and sound. Both are quite detailed and easy to follow. The fifth section is on how to interface Assembler to Basic. Personal Computing Today Feb 84. The provisional manual, which nins to some 250 A4 size pages, has a wealth of detail for the machine-code specialist. F.lcctronics and Computing Monthly.
INTEGRATED INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE
The MTX ROM has been designed to allow the maximum interaction between compon'ents of the software. A single program can be written which uses NODDY to display text and graphics, and a BASIC control program which calls routines written in assembly code. This Is a feature of future generation computers not available on any other micro.
BASIC
The Basic is fast and accurate, all the calculations being done in floating point maths, so that you don't lose accuracy to gain speed.
Personal Computing Today Feb 84.
The latest addition to the Memotech range
DMX80 Matrix Printer - 80 characters per second print speed, eight character formats, dot addressable graphics, £295.00 Including VAT.
Integrated Software - a five to one advantage. Assembler/Disassembler, High resolution Graphics. Arcade style games, Noddy for easy text handling and Front Panel for testing and debugging machine code.
and test machine code programs. This Is not new to computing, but It is to a home micro.
NODDY
A language new to me called Noddy is Included in the MTX which is designed to make text handling easy, especially for beginners. Hobby Electronics. Also provided is the easy to use beginner's lang\iage (Noddy) and a child oriented learning language Logo. Practical Computing Dec 83.
(Noddy has only 11 commands) that need to be mastered before some quite complex question-and-answer-type programs can be written. Your Computer Nov 83.
Noddy s ... main use is for displaying text and I can see applications in the computer assisted learning (CAL) field. Writing in Noddy is like a mixture of Logo and Forth.
Personal Computing Today Feb 84. ASSEMBLER/DISASSEMBLER
The Assembler can be accessed through BASIC. When used In conjunction with the PANEL it enables the programmer to single step through
As well as being able to modify and disassemble sections of code, you can set break points, examine and alter register values, and even single step through code. I hope other Z80 micro manufacturers (particularly in the Cambridge direction) take note of these debugging aids.
Popular Computing Weekly Nov 83. The Assembler Is called from Basic, and it assembles the code in situ, as part of the Basic listing. Hobby Electrordcs.
Z80 BOARD
The MTX Series Is a more powerful tool for education than the 8502 because it produces a more powerful assembler, allows the PANEL function to be used, and enables Integrated software to be written.
RML's 450Z has a (PANEL) function but that is a computer which costs considerably more than the MTX 500. Hobby Electronics.
FULLY INTEGRATED AND EXTENDED GRAPHICS
The only aspect of the scries where extensions to standard language are allowed Is in the most comprehensive and integrated graphics available on a home micro.
32 Sprites are supported either 8 x 8 or 16 x 16. They are easy to use and define and do not use extra memory as in the BBC B because they have their own area of RAM. Personal Computing Today Feb 84.
Graphics are very easy to create and manipulate, even for beginners. Which Micro Jan 84.
MTX512 plus twin 5 J/4" dlsr FDX. A CP/M based business system - £1245 Inc VAT.
SOUND
The simplification of the sound commands for ease of programmlnq has In no way compromised the quality of the sound produced.
Sound is of great importance for use in games but on many microcomputers it is inadequate. Not so with the MTX ... Your Computer Nov 83.
As well as good graphics capability the MTX boasts the same sound chip as the BBC micro - the Texas 76489. It has three tone channels and one noise channel, and is easily controlled from Basic. Volume and frequency can also be controlled, using a much easier method than the 14 parameters needed by the BBC.
Popular Computing Weekly Nov 83.
The commands are sufficiently complex to enable the computer to be used as a synthesizer.
Electronics and Computing Monthly.
CP/M OPERATING SYSTEM
The Series Is designed to run under the CP/M operating system. This Is the Disc Filing System used on the vast majority of microcomputers In business. Since a program written on one CP/M machine can be transferred and run on almost any other, this makes available 15.000 CP/M based business programs. The powerful LINK program can give access to any device operating under CP/M. With its excellent software support and because of It's modular nature, the series is a cost-effective and efficient entry to serious business and educational computing.
FULL-TRAVEL KEYBOARD
It has a professional quality keyboard. This and its eleganl styling make it suitable for word processing and business use. Your Computer Nov 83.
Input/Output Monitor, Hi-Fi, Power, TV, Centronics. Cassette Mic and Ear. and two Joystick ports all come as standard; the twin RS232 ports are available as expansions.
HARDWARE
NODE RING
Inside the case is what one comes to expect from Memotech - a very neat PCB that holds all the components including the main chips - namely a Z80A processor and TMS 9929 graphics chips as well as about 30 others. Popular Computing Weekly Nov 83.
If you are familiar with the ZX8I peripherals that Memotech also make you will know that the company has an eye for good design and does not skimp on materials It uses. Electronics and Computing Monthly.
MTX computers can operate together without expensive network systems. Units linked via the ring can share software peripherals and communicate with each other. Many other makes of computer can be interfaced with the ring as terminals.
EDUCATIONAL USAGE
There will be many people who have seen a front panel display on the 380Z computer in secondary schools or
colleges, and the MTX panel is very similar.
Hobby Electronics.
The new language Noddy and the Logo type Turtle Graphic commands would appeal particularly to the growing education market. Your Computer Nov 83. Applications are obviously going to suggest themselves in areas of the school curriculum, the fast-training of personnel in commerce, and in adventure-game writing. Hobby Electronics.
The MTX expansion potential is well thought out. The key to both the MTX Ring system and to the Disc Drive systems is the communications (RS232) board mentioned earlier. Electronics and Computing Monthly.
UPGRAD ABILITY
The MTX 500/512 is part of an existing range of producLs which can be bought separately and Integrated into a single powerful system, now.
Silicon Disc RAM Board 256K fast access RAM
There is plenty of room for expansion with the MTX and Memotech have planned a progression up to their small business machine with 80 column display (instead of I he standard 40 x 24) Floppy discs, Silicon (or RAM) discs, and a hard disc under development. Personal Computing To<iay Feb 84.
There are a multitude of sockets along the back consisting of two Joystick sockets, cassette connections, Centronics printer circuit, aerial socket, power socket and audio and video output. There is also provision for two RS232 sockets ... in addition the left hand end of the case has a large expansion socket with all the CPU signals on it - Memotech thoughtfullv supply a plastic Blanking Plate to protect and conceal It when not in use. Popular Computing Weekly Nov 83.
CP/M h * rcgljlcrcd tMdcouk of OlqlUl Rrwtrrh l»i
MEMOTECH
Station Lane Industrial Estate Witney. Oxon. OX8 6BX. Telephone (0993) 2977 Telex: 83372 MemtecG.
El texto completo (en inglés, y con los errores que se le puedan escapar a un OCR) era...
---
The MTX Series described; straight from the author's mouth
MANUAL
The first section (of the manual) is a basic tutorial. The grass roots information is here and I could not find any major mistakes. The second part is on Noddy giving a good guide as to how
it can be written... The third and fourth sections are on graphics and sound. Both are quite detailed and easy to follow. The fifth section is on how to interface Assembler to Basic. Personal Computing Today Feb 84. The provisional manual, which nins to some 250 A4 size pages, has a wealth of detail for the machine-code specialist. F.lcctronics and Computing Monthly.
INTEGRATED INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE
The MTX ROM has been designed to allow the maximum interaction between compon'ents of the software. A single program can be written which uses NODDY to display text and graphics, and a BASIC control program which calls routines written in assembly code. This Is a feature of future generation computers not available on any other micro.
BASIC
The Basic is fast and accurate, all the calculations being done in floating point maths, so that you don't lose accuracy to gain speed.
Personal Computing Today Feb 84.
The latest addition to the Memotech range
DMX80 Matrix Printer - 80 characters per second print speed, eight character formats, dot addressable graphics, £295.00 Including VAT.
Integrated Software - a five to one advantage. Assembler/Disassembler, High resolution Graphics. Arcade style games, Noddy for easy text handling and Front Panel for testing and debugging machine code.
and test machine code programs. This Is not new to computing, but It is to a home micro.
NODDY
A language new to me called Noddy is Included in the MTX which is designed to make text handling easy, especially for beginners. Hobby Electronics. Also provided is the easy to use beginner's lang\iage (Noddy) and a child oriented learning language Logo. Practical Computing Dec 83.
(Noddy has only 11 commands) that need to be mastered before some quite complex question-and-answer-type programs can be written. Your Computer Nov 83.
Noddy s ... main use is for displaying text and I can see applications in the computer assisted learning (CAL) field. Writing in Noddy is like a mixture of Logo and Forth.
Personal Computing Today Feb 84. ASSEMBLER/DISASSEMBLER
The Assembler can be accessed through BASIC. When used In conjunction with the PANEL it enables the programmer to single step through
As well as being able to modify and disassemble sections of code, you can set break points, examine and alter register values, and even single step through code. I hope other Z80 micro manufacturers (particularly in the Cambridge direction) take note of these debugging aids.
Popular Computing Weekly Nov 83. The Assembler Is called from Basic, and it assembles the code in situ, as part of the Basic listing. Hobby Electrordcs.
Z80 BOARD
The MTX Series Is a more powerful tool for education than the 8502 because it produces a more powerful assembler, allows the PANEL function to be used, and enables Integrated software to be written.
RML's 450Z has a (PANEL) function but that is a computer which costs considerably more than the MTX 500. Hobby Electronics.
FULLY INTEGRATED AND EXTENDED GRAPHICS
The only aspect of the scries where extensions to standard language are allowed Is in the most comprehensive and integrated graphics available on a home micro.
32 Sprites are supported either 8 x 8 or 16 x 16. They are easy to use and define and do not use extra memory as in the BBC B because they have their own area of RAM. Personal Computing Today Feb 84.
Graphics are very easy to create and manipulate, even for beginners. Which Micro Jan 84.
MTX512 plus twin 5 J/4" dlsr FDX. A CP/M based business system - £1245 Inc VAT.
SOUND
The simplification of the sound commands for ease of programmlnq has In no way compromised the quality of the sound produced.
Sound is of great importance for use in games but on many microcomputers it is inadequate. Not so with the MTX ... Your Computer Nov 83.
As well as good graphics capability the MTX boasts the same sound chip as the BBC micro - the Texas 76489. It has three tone channels and one noise channel, and is easily controlled from Basic. Volume and frequency can also be controlled, using a much easier method than the 14 parameters needed by the BBC.
Popular Computing Weekly Nov 83.
The commands are sufficiently complex to enable the computer to be used as a synthesizer.
Electronics and Computing Monthly.
CP/M OPERATING SYSTEM
The Series Is designed to run under the CP/M operating system. This Is the Disc Filing System used on the vast majority of microcomputers In business. Since a program written on one CP/M machine can be transferred and run on almost any other, this makes available 15.000 CP/M based business programs. The powerful LINK program can give access to any device operating under CP/M. With its excellent software support and because of It's modular nature, the series is a cost-effective and efficient entry to serious business and educational computing.
FULL-TRAVEL KEYBOARD
It has a professional quality keyboard. This and its eleganl styling make it suitable for word processing and business use. Your Computer Nov 83.
Input/Output Monitor, Hi-Fi, Power, TV, Centronics. Cassette Mic and Ear. and two Joystick ports all come as standard; the twin RS232 ports are available as expansions.
HARDWARE
NODE RING
Inside the case is what one comes to expect from Memotech - a very neat PCB that holds all the components including the main chips - namely a Z80A processor and TMS 9929 graphics chips as well as about 30 others. Popular Computing Weekly Nov 83.
If you are familiar with the ZX8I peripherals that Memotech also make you will know that the company has an eye for good design and does not skimp on materials It uses. Electronics and Computing Monthly.
MTX computers can operate together without expensive network systems. Units linked via the ring can share software peripherals and communicate with each other. Many other makes of computer can be interfaced with the ring as terminals.
EDUCATIONAL USAGE
There will be many people who have seen a front panel display on the 380Z computer in secondary schools or
colleges, and the MTX panel is very similar.
Hobby Electronics.
The new language Noddy and the Logo type Turtle Graphic commands would appeal particularly to the growing education market. Your Computer Nov 83. Applications are obviously going to suggest themselves in areas of the school curriculum, the fast-training of personnel in commerce, and in adventure-game writing. Hobby Electronics.
The MTX expansion potential is well thought out. The key to both the MTX Ring system and to the Disc Drive systems is the communications (RS232) board mentioned earlier. Electronics and Computing Monthly.
UPGRAD ABILITY
The MTX 500/512 is part of an existing range of producLs which can be bought separately and Integrated into a single powerful system, now.
Silicon Disc RAM Board 256K fast access RAM
There is plenty of room for expansion with the MTX and Memotech have planned a progression up to their small business machine with 80 column display (instead of I he standard 40 x 24) Floppy discs, Silicon (or RAM) discs, and a hard disc under development. Personal Computing To<iay Feb 84.
There are a multitude of sockets along the back consisting of two Joystick sockets, cassette connections, Centronics printer circuit, aerial socket, power socket and audio and video output. There is also provision for two RS232 sockets ... in addition the left hand end of the case has a large expansion socket with all the CPU signals on it - Memotech thoughtfullv supply a plastic Blanking Plate to protect and conceal It when not in use. Popular Computing Weekly Nov 83.
CP/M h * rcgljlcrcd tMdcouk of OlqlUl Rrwtrrh l»i
MEMOTECH
Station Lane Industrial Estate Witney. Oxon. OX8 6BX. Telephone (0993) 2977 Telex: 83372 MemtecG.
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