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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : TRS-80 and the Maximite.
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donmck Guru  Joined: 09/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1310 |
I seem to have generated a lot of personal email regarding my mentions of the TRS-80 from the late 70s. I feel I may soon get bogged down answering questions, and relating stories, about those magnificent times of 30+ years ago. Maximite has a lot of old timers jumping out of wheel chairs, as they see the connection between the two computers. To save quoting my stories, I have a page set up that covers a little of my involvement in the TRS-80: http://www.dontronics-shop.com/australias-first-pc.html I will add to it. I actually got a very interesting story this morning, along with some great photos. I am thinking that perhaps I should start a blog on both computers, so that users can add their own stories, and comments, as I see this thing exploding somewhat. Cheers Don... https://www.32v8.com/1 |
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Nick Guru Joined: 09/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 512 |
The good 'ol days. Some of us have some great memories of those early days of computing. I'm not quite at the wheel chair stage (yet) but I was quite active with my TRS-80 Model 1, upgraded to 32K via piggy backing an extra bank of 16k over the standard bank within the keyboard. I couldn't afford an expansion interface or disk drives and so did all my programming storing programs on tape. Nothing beats the sheer andrenalin rush of waiting for a tape program to load!! :) I developed several machine language games with this system including: Stellar Odyssey 1 and 2, Cosmic Bomber, Neutroid, Donut Dilemma, The Gladiator and Escape Zone. One can read of my exploits here: http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/nickma/ProjectArchive/ |
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| aargee Senior Member  Joined: 21/08/2008 Location: AustraliaPosts: 255 |
Yes, as a poor high school student, spent a lot of time visiting my local Tandy store on Saturday mornings (remember when the shops shut at midday on Saturdays?) and using their Trash80. They liked it because they didn't have a clue, and I was demo-ing it for all the passers by! Not switched on enough to ask for commission though :-). My first computer (that I owned) was a Dick Smith System 80. For crying out loud, all I wanted to do was flash this blasted LED. |
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BobDevries Senior Member Joined: 08/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 266 |
Hi Nick, although my first computer was a home-built DREAM 6800 SBC from Electronics Australia, the Tandy Colour Computer was a very close second. I chose the Maximite because it reminds me so much of both of these computers. Regards, Bob Devries Dalby, QLD, Australia |
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| donmck Guru Joined: 09/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1310 |
The Dream, hex blue buttons red LED hex display, and a timber box from what I recall. My first was a mini-scamp, which had a string of individual LEDs and switches for address, data, load, and run control. I'll bet a few people on this group will remember them. Cheers Don... https://www.32v8.com/1 |
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| BobDevries Senior Member Joined: 08/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 266 |
Actually, no. The DREAM had a hex keypad, but it connected to a B&W TV set. You're maybe thinking of the Motorola 6800 D2 kit? Regards, Bob Devries Dalby, QLD, Australia |
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| donmck Guru Joined: 09/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1310 |
I think you are right Bob. Will be the D2 Cheers Don... https://www.32v8.com/1 |
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