[vcf-midatlantic] our new museum -- micro exhibit -- pick 28!

[Jonathan Gevaryahu]

> On Nov 6, 2015, at 12:37 AM, Neil Cherry via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic at lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
> 
>> On 11/05/2015 10:54 PM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
>> Everyone,
>> 
>> This is going to be a fun thread. PLEASE DON'T FORK IT. :)
>> 
>> Tentatively, we'll have space for 28 microcomputers in that section of our new museum
>> exhibit. This begs the question: which ones?
>> 
>> I made a preliminary list. Some ground rules:
>> 
>> - Do we have the system and does it work or can realistically be made to work?
> 
> Historical importance is hard. After the initial IBM PC clones
> I don't see any clones that stands out. But before (during)
> we have a lot going on. While the Amiga's and later Macs were
> mostly post IBM 5150 they have some significance. Then the OS
> starts to become the more significant part. Though the later
> x86 (>= 386) are significant and are starting to fall into the
> area of Vintage. While the ARM doesn't fall into Vintage it is
> significant. Yes, I know this is the tough part of the argument.
> 
> Exclude list (just opinion):
>> 1. Our homebrewed "Dudley" PDP-8 clone
> When was this built?
> 
>> 7. AT&T (but which one? 6300, 7300, or 3B2?)
> Not the 6300 it's an insignificant clone, Not sure about the
> other 2's significance. Sun vs AT&T, BSD vs SYSV was this on
> the 3B2?
> 
>> 12. HP-85B
>> 13. IBM 5100
> Lab computers, not insignificant but seems a bit out of place
> with the rest.
> 
>> 15. IBM PC Jr.
> It's a clone, made by IBM. Not one of my favorites.
> 
>> 16. IBM (or generic) Windows 3.1
> Not insignificant, but which clone? The OS is more important
> than the clone but a generic clone might be the perfect
> choice.
> 
>> 24. Sinclair ZX-80
> Not significant (IMO), the Acorn seems more important.
> 
>> 25. SWTPC 6800
> SS20 and SS50 bus, not significant but seems a bit out of
> place. I think the OS Flex and OS9 are significant.
> 
What about an IBM PS/2 model 50 as an early example of a 386 machine? That is historically significant since it was the beginning of ia32 32-bit pc line, and it will run Linux or minix or 386BSD as a historical OS?