NABU Personal Computer
Dublin Core
Title
NABU Personal Computer
Subject
hardware: personal computer
Description
Historical Context
The whole crew is instilled with the fervent enthusiasm of
Those Who Have Seen The Light. On everyone's lips is
the sacred name of the ancient Babylonian god of writing.
NABU. Bringer of wisdom and understanding.
NABU. Bringer of great pots of money.
[P. Kinsman, NABU, NABU! One More Time From the Top, Enterprise, July 1981]
The growing popularity of home and personal computing in the late 1970s and early 1980s created a vibrant software industry supplying microcomputer users with a vast range of software products. During that period, the main form of the commercial microcomputer software distribution was packaged software sold in computer stores and outlets in the form of ROM cartridges, tape cassettes, and floppy diskettes. Even though the prices of personal and home computers were falling sharply in the early 1980s, the cost of good quality software remained the same reflecting, in part, high distribution costs.
Electronic distribution of software directly into homes of computer owners originated in the second half of the 1970s. It was a novel, fast, and cost-effective alternative to packaged software's expensive, long, and multi-stage delivery process. A computer or a video game console owner could subscribe to an electronic distribution of software service (EDS service) that and gain an electronic access to software and data for a low monthly fee (of, approximately, the cost of a single commercial packaged software). By the early 1980s, several North American and European companies were already distributing software using common communication links (such radio waves, cable television (CATV), or telephone networks).
While Europe was experimenting with EDS via teletext and videotex television services, several North American companies were looking into using CATV's superior high-speed digital information delivery capability for the purpose of mass-market distribution of home and recreational software. By the early 1980s, a large percentage of urban households in North America had a direct link to cable TV. Furthermore, a strong growth of the home computer and video game console markets was projected until at least mid-1980s. Such forecasts supported the prospects of vast new sources of revenues for cable providers derived from bundling EDS with other CATV-based nonprogramming services.
The NABU Network was possibly the most advanced and foremost among the early CATV-based EDS services. It was a brainchild of a Canadian entrepreneur John Kelly. The NABU Manufacturing Corp., which would spawn the NABU Network Corp., was incorporated in June 1981. It was initially created through the amalgamation of three companies: Bruce Instruments Ltd. (manufacturer of cable TV converters based in Almonte), MFC Microsystems International Inc. (a distributor of computer hardware and software for small business systems), and Computer Innovations Ltd. (which operated computer retail stores across Canada). Soon after, NABU Manufacturing acquired Andicom Technical Products Ltd. (a manufacturer of small business computers based in Toronto), Consolidated Computer Inc. (a manufacturer and distributor of key-edit systems), Mobius Software Ltd. (an Ottawa-based software consulting company), and Volker-Craig (a Kitchener-based manufacturer of video-display terminals).
NABU's business plan was to capture a sizable share of the microcomputer market by offering the world's first cable-ready computers and by implementing a new delivery method for software and information -- the NABU Network. The company announced its network during the 1982 National Cable & Telecommunications Association conference in Las Vegas. In May 1983, the company transmitted its programming via satellite from Ottawa to terminals installed at the 26th Annual Convention of the Canadian Cable Television Association in Calgary. The transmission used the ANIK-D1 satellite, and it was a live feed from Ottawa. The NABU Network was officially launched on 15 October 1983 on Ottawa Cablevision, an 85,000-subscriber company where much of NABU's testing was performed. Soon thereafter, the network made its US debut in Alexandria, Virginia, on Tribune Cable, a 5,000 subscriber service. The launch marked the creation of the first commercial computer network to provide high-speed access to information, software, and digital entertainment directly to homes of personal computer users.
The network was based on the concept of computers linked to cable television networks which could supply a constant stream of computer programs and information to almost unlimited number of users at high speed. NABU considered cable television a uniquely ideal technology to deliver software and data to home computers because of its high bandwidth and networking capabilities.
To access NABU Network, customers had to purchase or rent a NABU Personal Computer (NABU PC) and a network adaptor that provided an interface between the NABU PC and the CATV's dedicated channel. The network provided its subscribers with a multi tier service that offered software and information in a range of categories, including entertainment, education, family information, home management, and a network guide. The November-December 1984 issue of The NABU Network magazine lists over 140 titles available on Ottawa Cablevision's NABU Network. In Ottawa, NABU program listings were available online (on NABU's Network Guide) as well as in local newspapers and dedicated NABU magazines. The NABU PC could be operated as a stand-alone desktop computer. For this purpose, NABU supplied its customers with Digital Research CP/M 3 operating system and floppy disk drives.
Because of the company's financial difficulties, unfavourable market conditions, and regulatory constraints, the NABU Network went off the air on 31 August 1986 in both Ottawa and Alexandria. Rights to exploit commercial applications of NABU Network technology--that is, to selling the technology to corporations that could provide their own content--were vested in International Datacasting Corp. created in 1984.
References:
The NABU PC technical specifications:
NABU Network applications and information programs in the museum's collection
The museum has several NABU PC and Adaptor units including the NABU PC 4K and 8K ROM models.
The whole crew is instilled with the fervent enthusiasm of
Those Who Have Seen The Light. On everyone's lips is
the sacred name of the ancient Babylonian god of writing.
NABU. Bringer of wisdom and understanding.
NABU. Bringer of great pots of money.
[P. Kinsman, NABU, NABU! One More Time From the Top, Enterprise, July 1981]
The growing popularity of home and personal computing in the late 1970s and early 1980s created a vibrant software industry supplying microcomputer users with a vast range of software products. During that period, the main form of the commercial microcomputer software distribution was packaged software sold in computer stores and outlets in the form of ROM cartridges, tape cassettes, and floppy diskettes. Even though the prices of personal and home computers were falling sharply in the early 1980s, the cost of good quality software remained the same reflecting, in part, high distribution costs.
Electronic distribution of software directly into homes of computer owners originated in the second half of the 1970s. It was a novel, fast, and cost-effective alternative to packaged software's expensive, long, and multi-stage delivery process. A computer or a video game console owner could subscribe to an electronic distribution of software service (EDS service) that and gain an electronic access to software and data for a low monthly fee (of, approximately, the cost of a single commercial packaged software). By the early 1980s, several North American and European companies were already distributing software using common communication links (such radio waves, cable television (CATV), or telephone networks).
While Europe was experimenting with EDS via teletext and videotex television services, several North American companies were looking into using CATV's superior high-speed digital information delivery capability for the purpose of mass-market distribution of home and recreational software. By the early 1980s, a large percentage of urban households in North America had a direct link to cable TV. Furthermore, a strong growth of the home computer and video game console markets was projected until at least mid-1980s. Such forecasts supported the prospects of vast new sources of revenues for cable providers derived from bundling EDS with other CATV-based nonprogramming services.
The NABU Network was possibly the most advanced and foremost among the early CATV-based EDS services. It was a brainchild of a Canadian entrepreneur John Kelly. The NABU Manufacturing Corp., which would spawn the NABU Network Corp., was incorporated in June 1981. It was initially created through the amalgamation of three companies: Bruce Instruments Ltd. (manufacturer of cable TV converters based in Almonte), MFC Microsystems International Inc. (a distributor of computer hardware and software for small business systems), and Computer Innovations Ltd. (which operated computer retail stores across Canada). Soon after, NABU Manufacturing acquired Andicom Technical Products Ltd. (a manufacturer of small business computers based in Toronto), Consolidated Computer Inc. (a manufacturer and distributor of key-edit systems), Mobius Software Ltd. (an Ottawa-based software consulting company), and Volker-Craig (a Kitchener-based manufacturer of video-display terminals).
NABU's business plan was to capture a sizable share of the microcomputer market by offering the world's first cable-ready computers and by implementing a new delivery method for software and information -- the NABU Network. The company announced its network during the 1982 National Cable & Telecommunications Association conference in Las Vegas. In May 1983, the company transmitted its programming via satellite from Ottawa to terminals installed at the 26th Annual Convention of the Canadian Cable Television Association in Calgary. The transmission used the ANIK-D1 satellite, and it was a live feed from Ottawa. The NABU Network was officially launched on 15 October 1983 on Ottawa Cablevision, an 85,000-subscriber company where much of NABU's testing was performed. Soon thereafter, the network made its US debut in Alexandria, Virginia, on Tribune Cable, a 5,000 subscriber service. The launch marked the creation of the first commercial computer network to provide high-speed access to information, software, and digital entertainment directly to homes of personal computer users.
The network was based on the concept of computers linked to cable television networks which could supply a constant stream of computer programs and information to almost unlimited number of users at high speed. NABU considered cable television a uniquely ideal technology to deliver software and data to home computers because of its high bandwidth and networking capabilities.
To access NABU Network, customers had to purchase or rent a NABU Personal Computer (NABU PC) and a network adaptor that provided an interface between the NABU PC and the CATV's dedicated channel. The network provided its subscribers with a multi tier service that offered software and information in a range of categories, including entertainment, education, family information, home management, and a network guide. The November-December 1984 issue of The NABU Network magazine lists over 140 titles available on Ottawa Cablevision's NABU Network. In Ottawa, NABU program listings were available online (on NABU's Network Guide) as well as in local newspapers and dedicated NABU magazines. The NABU PC could be operated as a stand-alone desktop computer. For this purpose, NABU supplied its customers with Digital Research CP/M 3 operating system and floppy disk drives.
Because of the company's financial difficulties, unfavourable market conditions, and regulatory constraints, the NABU Network went off the air on 31 August 1986 in both Ottawa and Alexandria. Rights to exploit commercial applications of NABU Network technology--that is, to selling the technology to corporations that could provide their own content--were vested in International Datacasting Corp. created in 1984.
References:
- Stachniak, Z. Early Commercial Electronic Distribution of Software, IEEE Annals of the History of Computing, January-March (2014), pp. 39-51.
The NABU PC technical specifications:
- CPU - ZILOG Z80A, 8-bit, 3.58MHz clock speed,
- RAM - 64Kb, NPC's main memory under the CPU's control,
- RAM - 16Kb, video display memory under the video processor's control,
- ROM - 4K or 8K (hosting software for bootstrap, self-test, and initialization),
- video processor - Texas Instruments TMS 9918A,
- sound generator - General Instrument AY-3-8910 programmable sound generator,
- external storage - floppy diskette drives; a floppy drive controller was required to be installed in one of the expansion,
- expansion ports - four 30-pin,
- keyboard - 66 key QWERTY-style (including 8 cursor and control as well as "YES" and "NO" keys), detachable, microprocessor-controlled, features two game controller connectors,
- game controllers - up to two controllers connected to the keyboard via DB-9 connectors; 8 position and fire button control,
- display - 24 lines of 40 characters, 16 colors (including transparent); requires a dedicated computer monitor or a television set connected via RF modulator,
- ports/connectors - serial EIA RS422 Adaptor interface, 8-bit parallel printer port (15-pin), EIA RS422 keyboard connector (6-PIN DIN), video connector (RCA phono jack), audio connector (RCA phono jack), cable IN ad OUT connectors (type F),
- data transmission rate - 6.312 Mbits.
- NABU BDOS - NABU Basic Downloadable Operating System, NABU Network Corp., 1982-1986
- XIOS1 - Extended Internal Operating Software, module 1, NABU Network Corp., 1982-1986
- XIOS2 - Extended Internal Operating Software, module 2, NABU Network Corp., 1982-1986
- Disk Utilities for NABU floppy disk drive, Digital Research, 1983 and NABU Network Corp., 1983
- RAM test utility program, NABU Network Corp., 198?
NABU Network applications and information programs in the museum's collection
| title | category | creator |
|---|---|---|
| ALPHABLAST II | game | NABU Network Corp., 1982 |
| ALPHA LAB LOGO | educational program | unknown |
| ANGLE TANGLE LOGO | educational program | unknown |
| ANTARCTIC VENTURE | game | Konami, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| ANTONYM ANTICS | educational game | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| AQUATTACK | game | Interphase Technologies Inc., 1984 |
| ATMOSPHERE | educational game | Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| ATOMS | educational game | Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| BACKGAMMON | game | NABU Network Corp., 1982 |
| BIORHYTHMS | game | NABU Network Corp., 1982 |
| BEEVADERS | LOGO game | unknown |
| B.C. MATCH UP | game | NABU Network Corp., 1982 |
| B.C. TRIVIA | game | NABU Network Corp., 1982 |
| CAPACITORS | educational game | Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| CFONT | office program | SoftCraft, 1982 |
| CHECKERS | game | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| CHINESE HOROSCOPES | game | NABU Network Corp., 1982 |
| CIRCUS CHARLIE | game | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| CIRCUIT | educational program | NABU Network Corp., 1982 |
| COMPUTER GLOSSARY | information program | NABU Network Corp., 1983 |
| CORRECT-IT | educational game | Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| CYCLONS | game | Syntax Software Inc., 1983 |
| DARTS AND BALLOONS LOGO | educational game | unknown |
| DECIMALS | educational game | Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| DEFINITION | educational game | Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| DEPOT | game | NABU Network Corp., 1983 |
| EFONT Edit | office program | SoftCraft, 1982 |
| EMBASSY CAPER | game | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| FANCY FONT TUTOR | information program | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| FLIP AND FLOP | game | First Star Software, 1983; NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| FRACTIONS | educational game | Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| FRENCH VERBS I | eduactional program | Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| FROGGEE | game | Commercial Data Systems Ltd., 1982 |
| GRAMMAR | educational game | Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| HEAVYWAIGHT BOXING | game | Takara/Hal, 1983 |
| HERBS & SPICE 1 | information program | 605477 Ontario Inc., 1985 |
| HERBS & SPICE 2 | information program | 605477 Ontario Inc., 1985 |
| HYPER SPORTS | game | Konami, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| INTERVALS | educational program | Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| KEYBOARD | educational program | Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| KIDDY PARK | game | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| KNOW-IT-ALL | information program | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| LASER ATTACK | game | NABU Network Corp., 1983 |
| LEARNING LETTERS | educational program | Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| LEARNING NUMBERS | educational program | Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| LOGO ACTIVITY HELP | information program | NABU Network Corp., 1983 |
| LOGO PREVIEW | information program | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| LOGO REFERENCE | information program | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| MACBETH | game | NABU Network Corp., 1983 |
| MAKE UP | educational game | Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| MANIA | game | NABU Network Corp, 1983 |
| MATH ATTACK LOGO | educational game | unknown |
| MATH PUZZLE | game | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| MATH QUIZ | educational game | Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| MAZE CRAZE | LOGO game | unknown |
| METRIC CONVERTER | educational game | Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| METRO BLITZ | game | Cymbal Software Inc, 1983 |
| MINERAL HUNT | LOGO educational game | unknown |
| MINER 2049ER | game | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| MIX-IT | educational game | Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| MOONSWEEPER | game | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| MORTGAGE CALC | home management | NABU Manufacturing Corp., 1982 |
| MOTION AND FORCE | educational game | Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984) |
| MOTORCYCLE | educational game | Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| MR. CHIN | game | Hal, 1984 |
| MUMMY'S TOMB | game | Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| MURDER MANSION | game | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| NABU BASIC V2.0 | programming language | unknown |
| NABU BASIC TUTOR | information program | NABU Network Corp., 1984; code follows directory |
| NABU CALC | spreadsheet | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| NABU CALC TUTOR | information program | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| NABU FILER | database program | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| NABU FILER TUTOR | information program | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| NABU LOGO, rev. 01 | programming language | LOGO Computer Systems Inc., 1983 |
| NABU SPELLER | office program | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| NABU SPELLER TUTOR | information program | NABU 1984 |
| NABU WRITER | office program | NABU Network Corp., 198 |
| NABU WRITER TUTOR | information program | NABU Network Corp., 198 |
| NEOCLYPS | game | Cymbal Software Inc, 1983 |
| NIMBLE | LOGO game | unknown |
| NOTES AND STAFF | educational game | Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| NOUNS | educational game | Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| O CANADA LOGO | educational game | unknown |
| PAINTPOT | educational program | unknown |
| PARLOR POWER | game | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| PERCENTAGES | educational game | Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| PINBALL | game | John Allen, 1981 |
| PING | game | NABU Manufacturing Corp., 1983 |
| PLANETS | educational game | Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| PRINTER TUTORIAL | information program | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| PROVINCES LOGO | educational game | unknown |
| QA DIG DUG | game | Namco Ltd., NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| QA GALAXIAN | game | Namco Ltd., NABU Network Corp., 1983 |
| QA PAC-MAN | game | NABU Network Corp., 1983, 1984 |
| QUEST FOR TIRES | game | Sierra On-Line Inc., Sydney Development Corp., 1983 |
| Q*BERT | game | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| RENEGADE | educational game | NABU Network Corp., 1983 |
| RESISTORS | educational game | Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| ROULETTE | game | NABU Network Corp., 1983 |
| RUNES | game | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| SARGON II CHESS | game | Dan and Kathleen, Hayden Book Comp. Inc., 1981 |
| SCHMOZZLE | game | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| SHAPES | educational game | Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| SHAKESPEARE | educational game | Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| SKETCH | art program | unknown |
| SKI SARAJEVO | game | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| SKI WHISTLER | game | |
| SLEUTH | game | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| SPORTS STUMPER | game | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| STEP UP | game | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| SUPER BILLIARDS | game | Bubble Bus Software, NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| SUPER BLOOPER | educational game | Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| THE INFORMER | information program | NABU Network Corp., 1986 |
| TIME PILOT | game | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| TONES & SEMITONES | educational game | Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| TOURNAMENT POKER | game | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| TRACK & FIELD 1 | game | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| TRACK & FIELD 2 | game | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| TV IQ | game | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| UFO'S | game | NABU Manufacturing Corp., 1982 |
| WHIZ MIND LOGO | game | unknown |
| WINE WATCH | information program | Wine Consultants of Canada, 1984 |
| WING WAR | game | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| WIZTYPE | educational game | NABU Network Corp., 1982 |
| WIZTYPE TUTOR | office program | NABU Network Corp., 1982 |
| WORD MASTERMIND | educational game | Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| WORD ROTATE | educational game | Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| ZIPPER | game | NABU Network Corp., 1983 |
| ZORK I | game | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
| ZOT! | game | NABU Network Corp., 1984 |
The museum has several NABU PC and Adaptor units including the NABU PC 4K and 8K ROM models.
Creator
NABU Network Manufacturing Corp., NABU Network Corp.
Date
1982--1986
Coverage
1983-1986, Ottawa (Canada), Alexandria (US), and Sowa (Japan)
Contribution Form
Online Submission
No
Files
Collection
Citation
NABU Network Manufacturing Corp., NABU Network Corp., “NABU Personal Computer,” York University Computer Museum Canada, accessed July 11, 2025, https://museum.eecs.yorku.ca/items/show/49.