As discussed the other day: we'll use a Tektronix terminal with the DG Eclipse and an ADM-3A with the hobby systems. PDP-8 gets an ASR-33. That leaves the Prime 6550 (and also the PDP-11/785, but that one is easy because we have a selection of DEC terminals). So... which terminal (that we might have) is the best choice for the Prime?
That leaves the Prime 6550 (and also the PDP-11/785, but that one is easy because we have a selection of DEC terminals).
Ps. Because of limited space, it would be very convenient if the 785 and 6550 could share a terminal. If anyone finds that philosophically objectionable then speak now. :)
That leaves the Prime 6550 (and also the PDP-11/785, but that one is easy because we have a selection of DEC terminals).
Google indicates the VT-200/300 series is period appropriate for the 6550 (1987) as would be a Wyse terminal, but I don’t know if we have one of those. Also I misspoke, it's VAX 11 not PDP... Google further informs me that this machine intro'd in 1984. Thus one of our VT-200 series terminals is probably a good choice for sharing between the systems. I suppose I've answered my own question :) but will defer to the minicomputer experts here.
On Sat, Apr 02, 2016 at 01:03:46AM -0400, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
Ps. Because of limited space, it would be very convenient if the 785 and 6550 could share a terminal. If anyone finds that philosophically objectionable then speak now. :)
I'll just describe how I typically saw machines of that size in case your not familiar. This just what I saw, not how it was always done. Normally there would be an operator/system administrator terminal. It was frequently either a printing terminal like a DECwriter or a normal terminal with a printer. This was to capture the critical messages from the system and also provided a log of what was done with the system. This wasn't normally like the mainframes where operator(s) would always be overseeing the machine. They would either be overseeing multiple systems or have other responsibilities so much of the time nobody would be at the console. They would also do much of the work from their office if they had one since the machine rooms were normally not that comfortable with either excessive or insufficient cooling and the noise. These machines would normally have a number of serial ports that would go off the the users. When multiple computers were around using a switch box to switch the terminal between systems (and also switch peripherals) was common. This was more common for users. http://www.amazon.com/CablesOnline-Parallel-Printer-Rotary-SB-001/dp/B00E6SQ... I'm sure some places switched the operator terminal between systems. I don't have an objection to having one terminal on display. Adding a switch box with lables of the systems (Dymo embossed to envoke the period, poorly hand written for more common) would add another touch.
Sent from my iPhone On Apr 2, 2016, at 9:16 AM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
It was frequently either a printing terminal like a DECwriter
Saw your messafe after Bill's.
We have a few DECwriters. I'm not sure if we have any generic ones, given the Prime/DEC rivalry. Will have to look.
Or use a Plessey, Televideo, or Direct terminal with a printer, that does not need to be anything special could be a Diablo 630 or an Epson FX-80.
-----Original Message----- From: vcf-midatlantic [mailto:vcf-midatlantic- bounces@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org] On Behalf Of Matt Patoray via vcf-midatlantic Sent: 02 April 2016 15:15 To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> Cc: Matt Patoray <mspproductions@gmail.com> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Which terminal for Prime 6550?
Sent from my iPhone
On Apr 2, 2016, at 9:16 AM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic <vcf- midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
It was frequently either a printing terminal like a DECwriter
Saw your messafe after Bill's.
We have a few DECwriters. I'm not sure if we have any generic ones, given the Prime/DEC rivalry. Will have to look.
Or use a Plessey, Televideo, or Direct terminal with a printer, that does not need to be anything special could be a Diablo 630 or an Epson FX-80.
Given Pr1mes were often bought by cost-conscious customers, anything generic would do. At the University of Salford our 9950s had a host of Generic terminals, but I can't remember the brand for love nor money. They were yukky grey things. I also guess the parts of the University with DEC kit, and of course any University is basically a host of competing tribes trying to avoid doing what Computing Services tell them, may have connected through using DEC PSI and X.29 so had VT100 on the Pr1me, but It feels wrong to me.... Dave
On Apr 2, 2016, at 9:16 AM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
It was frequently either a printing terminal like a DECwriter
Saw your messafe after Bill's.
We have a few DECwriters. I'm not sure if we have any generic ones, given the Prime/DEC rivalry. Will have to look.
Mike, Matt and Dave, thanks for the info/suggestions. I'm totally out of my element with these machines! I'm on my way up to the museum now so perhaps Evan and I and mouse and Jeff (and whomever else is there!!) can go cherry pick something from the warehouse. I love learning about these machines I never used or saw when they were in their PR1ME :-) Tony
-----Original Message----- From: vcf-midatlantic [mailto:vcf-midatlantic- bounces@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org] On Behalf Of Tony Bogan via vcf-midatlantic Sent: 02 April 2016 16:31 To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> Cc: Tony Bogan <thebogans@mac.com> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Which terminal for Prime 6550?
On Apr 2, 2016, at 9:16 AM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic <vcf- midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
It was frequently either a printing terminal like a DECwriter
Saw your messafe after Bill's.
We have a few DECwriters. I'm not sure if we have any generic ones, given the Prime/DEC rivalry. Will have to look.
Mike, Matt and Dave, thanks for the info/suggestions. I'm totally out of my element with these machines! I'm on my way up to the museum now so perhaps Evan and I and mouse and Jeff (and whomever else is there!!) can go cherry pick something from the warehouse.
I love learning about these machines I never used or saw when they were in their PR1ME :-) Tony
Actually one thing I do remember is we used daisy wheel printers on ours for printing letters and other such Business related stuff.... Dave
I just gave the museum a nice Televideo 950. Bill Dudley This email is free of malware because I run Linux. On Sat, Apr 2, 2016 at 9:37 PM, Dave Wade via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
-----Original Message----- From: vcf-midatlantic [mailto:vcf-midatlantic- bounces@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org] On Behalf Of Tony Bogan via vcf-midatlantic Sent: 02 April 2016 16:31 To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org
Cc: Tony Bogan <thebogans@mac.com> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Which terminal for Prime 6550?
On Apr 2, 2016, at 9:16 AM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic <vcf- midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
It was frequently either a printing terminal like a DECwriter
Saw your messafe after Bill's.
We have a few DECwriters. I'm not sure if we have any generic ones, given the Prime/DEC rivalry. Will have to look.
Mike, Matt and Dave, thanks for the info/suggestions. I'm totally out of my element with these machines! I'm on my way up to the museum now so perhaps Evan and I and mouse and Jeff (and whomever else is there!!) can go cherry pick something from the warehouse.
I love learning about these machines I never used or saw when they were in their PR1ME :-) Tony
Actually one thing I do remember is we used daisy wheel printers on ours for printing letters and other such Business related stuff....
Dave
The *correct* terminal would be a Prime PST-200 or 250 (both can be seen in photos of my Prime exhibit at VCF several years ago), but I don't think the museum has one. The next most common terminal would probably have been a Televideo 925 - I saw a few installations that used those. A Wyse 50 would also be appropriate, as would any number of third party terminals. While you can definitely use a DEC terminal - those were more expensive at the time, and if you're cheaping out by not buying the Prime terminals, you're not going to spend even *more* and buy a DEC one. -Ian On Sat, Apr 2, 2016 at 12:56 AM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
As discussed the other day: we'll use a Tektronix terminal with the DG Eclipse and an ADM-3A with the hobby systems. PDP-8 gets an ASR-33. That leaves the Prime 6550 (and also the PDP-11/785, but that one is easy because we have a selection of DEC terminals). So... which terminal (that we might have) is the best choice for the Prime?
participants (7)
-
Dave Wade -
David Gesswein -
Evan Koblentz -
Ian Primus -
Matt Patoray -
Tony Bogan -
William Dudley