Using an IMS International Series 8000 computer to write this. The main (master) CPU board and memory board (Z80 at 4MHz with 64k of RAM) was built in 1979. The two MPU (slave) boards also have Z80s and 64k of
RAM, as well as two serial ports. The operating system is TurboDOS,
which is a multi-processor version of CP/M (sort of) that allows
the main CPU to share system resources (hard drives, floppies, etc) among the MPU boards. The MPU boards have two serial ports, one for connecting terminals to access the operating system, and one that can
be used for modems, printers,etc. I'm connected to one via a
terminal and then have the second one connected to TCPSER so I can
telnet to my BBS and send you guys this message. I have, for what
it's worth, the second terminal also up and running and am playing The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy in the other window. Multi-tasking
Using an IMS International Series 8000 computer to write this.
I have, for what it's worth, the second terminal also
up and running and am playing The Hitchhiker's Guide to
the Galaxy in the other window. Multi-tasking like
it's 1979! ;)
That's an awesome computer you have! I am not familiar with these
machines, so it is really interesting to read your description.
Wicked flex with the multitasking. It sounds like a very capable
machine, nice work keeping online with it.
AKAcastor wrote to Abbub <=-
I have, for what it's worth, the second terminal also
up and running and am playing The Hitchhiker's Guide to
the Galaxy in the other window. Multi-tasking like
it's 1979! ;)
Wicked flex with the multitasking. It sounds like a very capable
machine, nice work keeping online with it.
You mentioned getting it to work with GOTEKs. Are those USB floppyYeah, it has two GOTEK USB floppy emulators pretending to be 8" Shugarts, and a MFM Emulator rev. D pretending to be a 190 MB full height Maxtor XT2190 MFM drive. I'm using a FD50to34 adapter to connect it to the IMS 401 8" floppy controller board, and the two GOTEK's have the latest version of the flashfloppy ROM installed on them. There was a TON of trail and error that a guy down in TX and myself did to figure out the 'magic recipe', but some of that had to do with the fact that TurboDOS used it's own format to squeeze more data onto the disks than CP/M did.
drives? How did you get it to work with those?
it's the first computer I every wrote a program on. My dad's radio
station in the early 1980s used one and when he'd go up
after hours to work (he was the main engineer as well
as the owner) he'd take me with, park me in front of a
terminal, and let me write programs with Microsoft BASIC and it's compiler.
I've been working since March to get it running again.
74x logic chip issues, incomplete documentation issues,
getting it to work with GOTEKs (since I don't have a 8"
floppy), and learning the operating system, of which
there's SCANT knowledge of on the internet.
Fortunately, there's one guy on teh vcfed forums who
seems to know the systems really well, and he's been a huge help.
Did you ever type in programs from the 'learn to program' books aimedI know the books, but I didn't use them. I think I had a print out of the reference guide. I mostly wrote D&D character generators, variations of Star Trek (based on what I had seen pictures of in computer magazines, having never actually seen the game), and 'security' login programs. lol
at kids? They may have come along just a bit too late for you. I
works together. Is it all working pretty smooth now, or is there moreIt's all working very smoothly. The last thing I need to do is build an actual case for it. I have all of the pieces in place, but they're just sort of spread out across my workbench. This computer was originally a desk. Like, it was literally built into a desk that you sat the terminal on top of. I've moved to Mean Well power supplies, and all of the original 8" components are now 3.5" or 5.25" components, so it's much less hardware than it originally was. My plan is to build an 'homage' to the original cream and wood-grained case that IMS shipped some of these units in, but not as xbox huge.
to sort out?
Did you ever type in programs from the 'learn to program' books aimed at kids? They may have come along just a bit too late for you. I remember borrowing them from the library in the late 80s when I was learning on Apple ][ in elementary school and a Tandy 1000 at home. By the late 80s the books started to feel dated (but I still enjoyed them a lot).
https://usborne.com/ca_en/books/computer-and-coding-books
It's all working very smoothly. The last thing I need to do is build an actual case for it. I have all of the pieces in place,
but they're just sort of spread out across my workbench.
This computer was originally a desk. Like, it was
literally built into a desk that you sat the terminal on
top of. I've moved to Mean Well power supplies, and all
of the original 8" components are now 3.5" or 5.25"
components, so it's much less hardware than it
originally was. My plan is to build an 'homage' to the
original cream and wood-grained case that IMS shipped
some of these units in, but not as xbox huge.
That's how i "cut my teeth" too, checking out kids programming books from the library and typing them in on an Apple ][, and later into GW-BASIC on a PC. It felt novel at the time, similar to those Science Fair 150 in 1 Electronic Project Kits. So many options to start out with, then modify.
Will you build a box-type case for the computer, or a desk-type case?
space-saving reasons). Were those cases that IMS shipped the units in
meant to be used after shipping, or were they just for packing the
materials together to deliver to the site?
It felt novel at the time, similar to those Science
Fair 150 in 1 Electronic Project Kits.
My biggest memories of the 150 in 1 electronic project kits is a hand-me-down with missing parts, where any project was hit-or-miss whether I'd be able to complete it successfully.
I think I can keep this down to about 18"x12"x10" or so,
since I don't need any 8" drives and the modern power
supplies I'm using are much smaller. It won't be a
replication of the original case, but a modern version
that's an homage to the original design.
I also like the idea of computers as furniture, but I'll
reserve that for when I eventually get a CRAY that I can
set up in the living room upstairs as guest seating. :D
My biggest memories of the 150 in 1 electronic project kits is a hand-me-down with missing parts, where any project was hit-or-miss whether I'd be able to complete it successfully.
If i had all the time in the world, i might try implementing some of the circuits in spice. Of course there would be limitations. I don't think spice can receive radio transmissions. :-)
Can you also simulate the little springs with one or two strands of the wire connected and other strands snapped? The 150 in 1 kits had some special properties like this. :)
Ha! I do remember the original stranded wires and the springs, which would make a little twang if you flexed then let them go. After the technician worked on the phone box down the street, i would check
out the ground there and collect solid copper wire scraps.
Precious, precious wires! I know exactly the kind you mean. I feel like I became jaded later on once I realized how cheap it was to buy literally HUNDREDS OF FEET (or many metres!) of wire and stopped collecting the scraps. :)
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