Historical context (by Z. Stachniak) The MF7114 was an early 4-bit single-chip microprocessor designed and built by Microsystems International Ltd. (MIL) of Montreal between 1970 and 1972. It was the first microprocessor designed and manufactured in Canada. The MF7114 has its roots in the development of Intel's first single-chip central processing unit (CPU) -- the 4004. Before it was given the `MF7114' designation, the chip's general architecture was called the Intel 4005 and the purpose of its development was to backup the 4004's project, to fabricate a simpler general-purpose microprocessor in case of the 4004's fiasco. When in early 1971 the design work on the 4004 chip resulted in silicon wafers with a sufficient number of fully-functional CPUs on them to permit the chips' fabrication at the target cost, Intel abandoned the 4005 project. MIL on the other hand, continued the 4005's development and, by mid 1972, had its own 4-bit microprocessor -- the MF7114. MIL marketed the MF7114 as a CPU for stored program controllers. In 1973, the company designed an MF7114-based controller board to demonstrate the use of the chip to control the Singer Telerex 30 PMI Matrix Printer. The company also used the MF7114 to design a 4-bit microcomputer -- the CPS-1 (also referred to as the CPS/1, MPS/1, and MC-1). The computer was offered in two versions. The first one was a single-board version. The board included the MF7114 CPU, clock, 4Kb of memory, and 16 I/O ports including a TTY interface. The second version was a modularly designed hardware that included a chassis with backplane bus for system's expansions, a CPU and memory board, a power supply, a programmer's console, and the PROM connector to the PROM programmer. Designed in 1973, the CPS-1 was the first microprocessor powered computer built in Canada. The MF7114 Specifications data bus - 4 bit, bi-directional address bus - 12 bit communications bus: (COMBUS) 21 bit, included 16 lines of data and address buses plus 5 control lines clock speed: 0.9 microseconds per cycle on-chip registers: accumulator (AC, 4 bit), program counter (PC, 12 bit), data pointer (DP, 12 bit), overflow register (OF, 1 bit) virtual (working) registers: eight 4-bit and eight 12 bit registers number of instructions: 58, executed in three to five cycles supporting chips: the MF1601 ROM and MF7115 RAM packaging: 24-pin DIP Museum Holdings A promotional paperweight with a 7114 chip set consisting of an MF 7114 CPU, an MF1601 ROM, and an MF7115 RAM. References MF8008 Central Processor Applications Manual, MIL, Bulletin 80007, 1974. Stachniak, Z. The MIL MF7114 Microprocessor. IEEE Annals of the History of Computing,October-December 2010 (vol. 32 no. 4) pp. 48-59. MIL CPS-1 Emulator: Design Notes and Programmer's Guide, Version 2.2, York University Computer Museum, 2021.
John Freeman, John Hackman, Kelly Hamilton, and Zbigniew Stachniak
Historical Context (by Z. Stachniak) In October of 1968, with $48 million package from the Canadian Treasury Board, Northern Electric transformed its Advanced Devices Center into a new company called Microsystems International Ltd. (MIL). In March of 1969, MIL opened its doors with its headquarters in Montreal and the manufacturing facility in Ottawa. The company's focus was to be on new semiconductor technologies and products. In a short period of time, MIL acquired state of the art integrated circuit technologies and the second source rights to a number of products. The company's memory products, such as MF1101, MF1103, MF1701, or MF1702, and the MF8008 microprocessor, placed the company among the semiconductor leaders on the international market. Between 1970 and 1972, MIL developed and manufactured Canada's first microprocessor -- the MF7114. It also produced three microcomputers: the CPS/1 system designed around the MF7114 microprocessor as well as the MOD8 and the MOD80 microcomputers. The MOD8, developed in 1974, was based on the MIL MF8008 8-bit microprocessor. This computer (as well as its refinement -- the MOD80) consisted of the MOD8-8 PCB backplane mounted on top of an aluminum case, and several cards inserted into the backplane's connectors. These cards provided the CPU, memory, interface, and I/O functions. The backplane also contained built-in EPROM programmer. The MIL MOD80 microcomputer had the same architecture as the MOD8 with the exception of the CPU module. While the MOD8 employed the MF8008 microprocessor, the MOD80 was built around the MIL MF8080 CPU (a clone of the Intel 8080). The MOD8 computer and its MONITOR8 software were aimed at the development of the MF8008-based applications. To MIL's surprise, it was the North American computer enthusiasts who made the MOD8 a popular 8008-based microcomputer kit in the second half of the 1970s. MIL's MF8008 Applications Manual was one of the most widely read early documents on 8-bit microprocessors. The MOD8 influenced other early microcomputer designs for the hobbyists' market such as the Mike2 computer from Martin Research or a range of C-MOD computers from Celetron Corporation which were sold by MiniMicroMart of Syracuse, NY. The company closed its operations in June 1975. However, MIL's demise seeded the Canadian high-technology sector with scores of semiconductor, computer, and telecommunications start-ups founded by former MIL employees. The MOD8 and MOD80 microcomputers continued to be sold by companies such as Great Northern Computers Ltd., Moducomp Inc., and HRB (Goderich, ON). Museum holdings For the MOD8 and MOD80 museum holdings, consult the MIL collection. References Stachniak, Z. The MIL MF7114 Microprocessor. IEEE Annals of the History of Computing, October-December 2010 (vol. 32 no. 4) pp. 48-59. D. Lungu and Z. Stachniak. Following TRACE: The Computer Hobby Movement in Canada. Scientia Canadensis, vol. 34, no. 1 (2011), pp. 1--23.
computer hardware: video display terminal
Historical Context: Multiflex Technology Inc. was one of the companies of the Exceltronix group controlled by Eugen Hutka. In 1979, Hutka founded Exceltronix with its retail office at 319 College Street in Toronto. In the early 1980s, Multiflex was developing complete computer systems based on the Zilog Z80, Motorola 68000, and Intel 8086 processors together with a variety of peripheral and expansion cards. The company also manufactured stand-alone intelligent terminals, video display kits, as well as a range of other electronic products including peripheral and expansion cards for the Apple ][ computer. In 1984, Multiflex designed its first in the line of BEST computers compatible with the IBM PC and AT desktops, making Exceltronix one of the largest Canadian manufacturers of microcomputers of the 1980s. Multiflex Video Display Terminal Kit -- technical description (from the Exceltronix Catalogue Supplement, Spring 1983): The video display terminal is "originally designed as a low cost access unit for our [Exceltronix] soon to be operational computerized mail-ordering and bulletin board system." The terminal "is controlled by a Z80A microprocessor and a 6845 CRT controller chip. The keyboard is fully ASCII encoded and the character generator contains the full 128-character set as well as a 128-character alternate set both of which are in 5x7 dot matrix format. The screen display is 80 characters by 24 lines if the unit is hooked to an external monitor or 64 by 24 if run through an RF modulator to a TV. There are 3 software selectable attributes (dim, reverse video, and alternate character set) which can be chosen one at a time for the whole screen... Also included are 2 RS232 ports: one for a modem and one so that a printer can be attached to the terminal... The MULTIFLEX Video Display Terminal has provisions for an on board modem freeing a serial port." The Multiflex Video Display Terminal Kit was offered in 1982 and sold by Exceltronix. The museum has a complete Multiflex Video Display Terminal Kit as well a Multiflex Video Display board (without a built-in keyboard) and a keyboard in a separate enclosure.
Historical Context: Multiflex Z80 Computer Kit was a Canadian-made, low-cost computer designed around the Z80 microprocessor by Multiflex Technology Inc. and sold by Exceltronix Components and Computing of Toronto. Its early version, offered in 1980 or earlier, was advertised as a prototyping computer kit for computer hobbyists. In 1983, modified and packaged together with display, keyboard, and disk drives, it was sold as the Multiflex Super System. According to Exceltronix, Multiflex computers were sold across Canada to companies, educational institutions, and computer hobbyists. In its basic configuration, the Multiflex Z80 Computer KIt consisted of two boards: the mother board and the CPU board. The motherboard featured four sockets one of which was designated for interfacing with the CPU board. The remaining three sockets were used for expanding the system with a range of expansion cards offered by Multiflex as well as by various manufacturers world-wide. The motherboard also featured a 16-key hexadecimal keypad, 14 monitor function keys, 2 user definable keys, a hexadecimal display, and an EPROM programmer for storing programs and data in EPROM chips. The CPU board was a single-board computer which was inserted into one of the expansion sockets on the motherboard. The computer was designed to operate under Multiflex monitor (Z.MON, residing in EPROM), and later, under a dialect of CP/M operating system co-developed by National Multiplex/Pegasus and Exceltronix. The monitor software allowed full support for programming the computer in the Z80 assembly language as well as for using all the features available through the motherboard (e.g. programming EPROMs). Under the CP/M operating system, the Multiflex Z80 computer could execute a variety of popular applications software from word processors to data bases and spreadsheets. Multiflex Z80 Computer Kit -- hardware specifications: bus architecture: IEEE S-100 CPU: Z80A, 8-bit, (2-6MHz) RAM: up to 64KB ROM: 4 ROM sockets for BIOS, monitor software, etc disk drives: not included but supported whit an optional Multiflex disk drive controller card expansion sockets: 4 -- one taken by the CPU board and the remaining three were typically designated for a video card, and disk drive controller keypad: 16-key hexadecimal function keys: 14 monitor function keys plus 2 user definable keys display: hexadecimal display on the motherboard external display: not included but supported with an optional display or high-resolution card EPROM programmer: resident on the motherboard, could program a range of EPROMs ports: RS-232 serial port and 24-line parallel port keyboard: not included power supply: not included Software: Z.MON monitor program (in EPROM) CP/M operating system a range of applications software written to operate under CP/M including BASIC programming language, WordStar (word processor from MicroPro International,), and SuperCalc (spread sheet from Sorcim) The museum has a Multiflex Z80 Computer KIt with a manual published in 1980.
Historical context The NABU 1100 system was manufactured by NABU Manufacturing Corp. in the early 1980s. The system consisted of the the NABU 1100 computer (designed by Toronto-based Andicom -- one of the companies amalgamated into NABU) and the NABU 4404 display terminal (designed and manufctured by Volcer-Craig Ltd. -- another Canadian company merged into NABU). Apart from being sold to Canadian customers through the Ottawa-based Computer Innovations retail stores (which become part of NABU as well), the system was internally used as software development platform for the NABU Network -- a novel cable TV-based delivery method for software and information using world's first cable-ready computers. The NABU 1100 computer hardwer was hosted in a large cabinet with casters on it for manoeuverability. A drawer at the bottom of the cabinet was provided to store software and manuals. The NABU 4404 display terminal was a stand-alone, ASCII, serial asynchronous computer peripheral that could be connected to any computer equipped with an RSC232C interface. NABU recommended other display terminals to be used with the NABU 1100 computer as well, such as the NABU 404, 3100, and 4416 terminals. NABU 1100 technical specifications Bus: S-100 CPU: Zilog Z80A CPU at 4 MHz RAM: 62 Kbytes ROM: 2 Knytes card slots for: CPU board (ACP-1101) floppy disk controller board (AFC-1100), I/O board (AIO-1100), and memory board (ADM-1000), and additional 4 user supplied boards external storage: two buil-in 8" Shugart diskette drives (SA850), double sided, capacity = 1600 Kbytes (unformated) ports: two RS-232C serial I/O, and parallel I/O NABU 4404 Terminal specifications CPU: Zilog Z80A display: 12" anti-glare, 24 lines, 80 characters per line, normal or revers video keyboard: detachable, QWERTY, upper/lower case characters 8 switches to control the screen display ports: EIA RS232C communications interface data rates: from 110 up to 19200 baud options: serial and parallel interfaces, numeric key-pad and function keys, APL character set, ccoloured anti-glare display screen (amber or green) NABU 1100 software and documentation CP/M operating system, NABU 1100 User's Manual, Manufacturing Corp., 1981December 1981, The NABU 1100 System: A Technical Guide, Nabu Manufacturing Corp., 1981, VOLKER-CRAIG User's Manual, VC4404 The CHAT Video Display Terminal, Volker-Craig/NABU, Rev. 3, March 1982, VC4404 Video Display Terminal, Service Manual, Volker-Craig, 198? SA850/851 Bi-Compliant Double Sided Diskette Storage Drive Service Manual, Shugart, NABU 3100 Users Manual, NABU Commercial Terminals Ltd., 198? NABU 3100 Service Manual (preliminary), NABU Commercial Terminals Ltd. August 3, 1983. The museum has a NABU 1100 computer with the above mentioned software and documentation as well as NABU 4404 and 404 terminals.
Historical Context NABU Manufacturing (incorporated in June 1981 in Ottawa) was 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, the company 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 novel system for electronic delivery of software and information to home computer users -- 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 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. While NABU's focus was on cable TV-based delivery of software and data, the company also designed and sold desktop and workstation computers. One of such computers was the NABU 1600 designed by NABU's Andicom brunch. It was a 16-bit multi-user, multi-tasking desktop business computer supporting up to three user terminals. It was released by NABU Manufacturing in 1982. The system consisted of the CPU unit, the mass storage unit, and up to four terminals (e.g. the NABU 4404 terminals). The NABU 1600 technical specifications: CPU: Intel 8086 at 4.916 MHz, floating-point co-processor: Intel 8087, RAM: 256 Kbytes expandable to 512 Kbytes, ROM: 8 Kbytes, mass storage unit: two diskette or hard drives in a separate unit, hard drive: Seagate ST412, 10 Mbytes (formatted) with Western Digital WD 1001 disk controller, diskette drive: Tandon TM 100-4, diskettes: 5.25 inch, double-sided, double-density, 800 Kbytes, communications: synchronous, aynchronous, 4 RS 323C ports. Software: operating systems: MS-DOS, Xenix, and CP/M-86, programming languages: C, FORTRAN, BASIC, Pasal, COBOL, applications: DOC text editor, Q-Mail (mail software), Q-Spell (spell checker), electronic spreadsheet, accounting, database management.
NABU Manufacturing Corp., NABU Network Corp.
Historical context 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. The NABU Adaptor -- overview The NABU Adaptor (NA) was a high-speed (6.312 Mbps), addressable communications device which interfaced a NABU PC with a CATV NABU channel allowing an access to digital data provided by NABU Network to its subscribers. Such data was either processed by the adaptor for its own internal use (e.g. for updating subscription information) or passed on to the NABU PC. NA was equipped with a signal splitter allowing cable signal to be fed simultaneously to the NABU PC and to the subscriber's TV set. Because the NABU PC was designed primarily to use a TV set as a display, this arrangement permitted easy switching from the PC operations over to normal TV broadcast (this was accomplished using the TV/NABU key located on the computer's keyboard). NAs contained several dedicated memories. Each NA had a unique digital address stored in address memory at time of manufacture. This address allowed NABU Network operators to send short messages and instructions to, for instance, authorize or de-authorize the subscriber to receive programs in specific service tiers. Tire authorization data was stored in NA's tire authorization memory. Such data was updated by NABU Network operators by transmitting tire information to specific NA addresses. Each NA could be authorized for up to 31 tiers. Finally, NA's message memory was designed to store short messages for electronic mail service. NA's front panel featured four LED indicators: POWER, CABLE, LINK, MESSAGE. They allowed to detect possible malfunctioning of a subscriber's system and could help cable operators to diagnose the system remotely. The museum has two NABU Adaptors: model number NA-2, serial number 005420, model number NP-2, serial number 0014291.
1983-1986, Ottawa (Canada), Alexandria (US), and Sowa (Japan)
Historical context 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. 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. 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. NABU and its employees published several magazines and newsletters. The museum has the following publications: The NABU Network magazine (NABU Network, monthly); holdings: November and December 1984, The Changing Times (NABU Network, bi-monthly); holdings: January, March, and May 1985, The Hard Copy Newsletter (NABU Network, monthly); holdings: vol. 1, nr. 1, 2, 4, 1986, The Grunt Press (newsletter published by NABU employees, irregular); holdings: issuues 7-10, 1982; issues 11-13, 1983, The New Grunt Press (newsletter published by NABU employees, irregular); holdings: vol. 1-3, 5-20, 1984.
1983-1986, Ottawa (Canada), Sowa (Japan)
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: 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. The NABU PC systems software: 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.
NABU Network Manufacturing Corp., NABU Network Corp.
The NDS-1000 (also know as the Pancake) was a microprocessor-based word processor and communication system designed and manufactured by Network Data Systems between 1978 and 1985. The NDS-1000 consisted of a CPU unit (built around the Zilog Z80 microprocessor), Olivetti electric typewriter (Olivetti)), monitor, and diskette drives (5.25 inch). The museum has an NDS-1000, model 1000, serial number 00202-01.