1
10
7
-
https://museum.eecs.yorku.ca/files/original/f9b1a7c59b06c1c94d02bf67d4354402.jpg
663e7f40a889e947dbb176d6dde37317
hardware
A computer (or a calculator), its components and
peripherals (displays, printers, pointing devices, modems, external storage devices, etc).
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Commodore Plus/4
Subject
The topic of the resource
hardware: home computer
Description
An account of the resource
<strong>Historical context</strong><br /><br />Commodore International Ltd. (or Commodore) was one of the world's largest manufacturers of electronic hand-held calculators as well as home, educational, and business microcomputers. It was best known for its popular personal computers including the PET line of personal desktops as well as the VIC-20, Commodore 64, and the Amiga computers. It was founded on October 10, 1958 as Commodore Portable Typewriter Company Limited in Toronto, Ontario. Two years later, the company incorporated its Commodore Business Machines subsidiary in New York. In 1976, Commodore reorganized its corporate structure as Commodore International Ltd. and moved its financial headquarters to the Bahamas and the operations headquarters to Pennsylvania. The restructured company encompassed several entities world-wide including Commodore Business Machines Ltd., Canada. <br /><br />In 1947, the company's founder<span class="MUxGbd wuQ4Ob WZ8Tjf">—</span>Jack Tramiel<span class="MUxGbd wuQ4Ob WZ8Tjf">—</span>emigrated from Poland to the US. During his US army service (1948-51) he gained considerable experience in repairing office equipment which he turned into business in his civilian life, first in Bronx, New York, and later in Toronto, Canada, where he moved in 1955.<br /><br />His Toronto business was initially focused on repairs and selling licensed typewriters, adding machines, and other office equipment. Initially located at 2 Toronto Street, in the city's downtown core, a short distance from the IBM Toronto Downtown Office, the company relocated several times before establishing its headquarters in Scarborough, Ont.<br /><br />During the 1960s the scope of Commodore's business expanded to office furniture as well as to electric and eventually electronic calculators. The first Commodore-branded adding machine was the model C mechanical calculator manufactured by a Czechoslovakian company Nisa and sold by Commodore around 1960. The first exclusive Commodore adding machine<span class="MUxGbd wuQ4Ob WZ8Tjf">—</span>the 202<span class="MUxGbd wuQ4Ob WZ8Tjf">—</span>was announced in 1967. The following year, the company began to turn its focus toward electronic desktop and, soon after, hand-held calculators.<br /><br />Commodore entered the market of hand-held electronic calculators in late 1970s with its CBM 110 device. Within months, the company introduced what would become a popular series of Minuteman calculators. That series, in turn, was followed by the "SR" and "SF" line of scientific and financial hand-held calculators. By the mid-1970s, Commodore was selling a wide range of electronic calculators, becoming one of the largest American manufacturers of these devices.<br /><br />Commodore's entry into microcomputer market was, to a large degree, the result of fierce price war in the calculator market that started in late 1973, and the decision of Texas Instruments<span class="MUxGbd wuQ4Ob WZ8Tjf">—</span>one of the main suppliers of calculator chips<span class="MUxGbd wuQ4Ob WZ8Tjf">—</span>to enter the calculator market and to compete with its clients. To stay competitive and independent of third parties for the chips and displays that went into its products, Commodore purchased MOS Technology in 1976. With the acquisition came not only MOS integrated circuits (most notably the 6502 microprocessor) but also Chuck Peddle's<span class="MUxGbd wuQ4Ob WZ8Tjf">—</span>the 6502's chief designer's<span class="MUxGbd wuQ4Ob WZ8Tjf">—</span>considerable technical expertise and impeccable sense of changing trends in electronics market. While at MOS, he built the KIM-1 single-board computer that quickly became popular among computer hobbyists. Peddle urged Commodore not to underestimate the market potential for mass-manufactured microcomputers and his team got permission to go ahead with a project of designing a desktop computer around the 6502 processor. The all-in-one Commodore PET (or Personal Electronic Transactor) was introduced in 1977. It was successfully marked world-wide, which opened the door into the consumer electronics market for the company's next best sellers: the VIC-20 introduced in 1980, and the Commodore 64 unveiled in 1982.<br /><br />By 1983, in just 25 years, a small downtown Toronto typewriter sales and repair shop was transformed into one of the most revered personal computer companies in the world, shipping more units world-wide than any other computer company. However, the departure of Tramiel from Commodore in 1984 marked the beginning of the company's downfall. Commodore was loosing grounds to the IBM PC and Apple Macintosh platforms. The purchase of Amiga and the sales of its aging fleet of 8-bit computers sustained the company for a while but eventually, in 1994, Commodore began its liquidation.<br /><br /><strong>Commodore Plus/4</strong><br /><br />In 1984, Commodore followed its successful VIC-20 and C64 computers with a series of low cost Commodore 16, 116 and Plus/4 computers designed to compete with the entry-level home computers manufactured by scores of companies around the world. In the end, none of these new Commodore computers could match the success of the VIC-20 or the C64 and their production was soon discontinued. While the Commodore 16 and 116 were rudimentary home computers, the Plus/4 came with ROM-resident office software suite consisting of a word processor, a spreadsheet, a database, and a graphics program. Unfortunately, with the arrival of desktops offering a much richer and advanced applications (such as the Apple Macintosh and the IBM AT), the era of `computers-in-keyboard' was coming to an end. The Pus/4 was discontinued in 1985.<br /><br />Some of the Plus/4 computers were manufactured by Commodore Business Machines Ltd., Canada.<br /><br /><strong>Commodore Plus/4 specifications<br /></strong>
<ul>
<li>CPU: MOS Technology 7501/8501 at approx. 1.8 MHz,</li>
<li>RAM: 64 KB,</li>
<li>ROM: 64 KB (with built-in Commodore BASIC 3.5, a machine language monitor, a word processor, a spreadsheet, a database, and graphics program),</li>
<li>video processor: MOS Technology TED (TED 7360)</li>
<li>display in text mode: 40×25 characters; three text modes: standard, extended color, and multicolor,</li>
<li>display graphics mode: 160x200 (multicolor) and 320×200 (hi-resolution) with 121 colors (16 primary colors, 8 luminance levels),</li>
<li>sound: two tone sound generators,</li>
<li>keyboard: QWERTY-style, simplified, 59-key with additional 4 programmable function keys and four cursor keys,</li>
<li>ports: serial bus (IEEE-488, port for a disk drive or printer), cassette tape storage port, user port (RS-232 general purpose serial/parallel port), memory expansion port (for various types of cartridges), two game ports (for use with joysticks), audio/video port (to connect a monitor,</li>
<li>peripherals: disk drives (e.g. Commodore 1541 floppy disk drive), cassette drives (e.g. Commodore 1531 Datassette), monitors (Commodore 1801 and 1802), modems (e.g. Commodore Modem 300), printers (e.g. Commodore MPS-802 printer), game controllers, mouse (e.g. Commodore 1351).</li>
</ul>
<strong>Museum holdings</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>Commodore Plus/4, serial nr. CA1043221, manufactured by Commodore Business Machines Ltd., Canada</li>
<li>Commodore Plus/4 basic documentation.</li>
</ul>
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Commodore Business Machines Ltd.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
H.19
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
world, 1984-1985
Contribution Form
The set of elements containing metadata from the Contribution form.
Online Submission
Indicates whether or not this Item has been contributed from a front-end contribution form.
No
Commodore
home computer
microcomputer
personal computer
-
https://museum.eecs.yorku.ca/files/original/52139dc5d96cdffcac34fe00f26bc58a.jpg
29f702898d8018fc192c2fbc9aa06719
hardware
A computer (or a calculator), its components and
peripherals (displays, printers, pointing devices, modems, external storage devices, etc).
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Commodore SuperPET SP9000 computer
Subject
The topic of the resource
hardware: microcomputer
Description
An account of the resource
<strong>Historical context</strong><br />(by Z. Stachniak)<br /><br />Early microprocessor-based computers (microcomputers) presented a cost-effective and low-maintenance alternative to high-performance minicomputers that dominated the computer scene of the 1970s. Initially, their utilization was confined largely to applications that did not require the full processing power of the minis. Microcomputers also presented a unique opportunity to expand and enrich academic computing programs and infrastructure.<br /><br />A 1979 study conducted at the University of Waterloo (UW) on possible use of microcomputers for academic teaching and research concluded that "many of the jobs run on computers at Waterloo could be done using the computational capacity possessed by microcomputers." (See [1.) At that time, UW's mainframe computer served approximately 25,000 student jobs each day. However, "none of the inexpensive, mass-manufactured microcomputers had the appropriate hardware to operate our planned software," stated the authors of<em> Waterloo Micro Computer Systems for the 1980s</em> [1] "mainly because the memory was not large enough, and because there was insufficient flexibility, particularly with respect to input/output." The study set in motion two microcomputer development projects at the Computer Systems Group of UW -- the microWAT and the SuperPET.<br /><br />In the opinion of Wesley Graham, director, Computer Systems Group at UW expressed in [2], <br /><br />"microcomputers offered many advantages such as economy, reliability and flexibility. But the software available was not suitable for our use. In addition, the addressable memory of micro systems was too small to house the software and leave a meaningful work area. [...] Waterloo liked the advantages of micros and set out to bridge the gap. With software systems written to meet our needs, the software problem was solved. Then we introduced a virtual memory concept with hardware and resolve the addressable memory size problem. By using a RS232 interface, the micro could communicate with a shared data base. And by duplicating the software system onto a mainframe, the same program could be run using large memories at high speed.Thus a student could begin to solve his problem on the micro and, if necessary, complete it on the mainframe.<br /><br />Commodore adopted these ideas and created the SuperPET. We installed 35 such systems at Waterloo in July, 1981 and they have proven as effective as expected." <br /><br />The Commodore SuperPET was a dual processor personal computer created by the Computer Systems Group at UV primarily for the educational market. It's hardware design expanded the Commodore CBM 8032 (PET) architecture by an additional 64KB of bank switched RAM, a Motorola 6809 microprocessor and an RS232 interface. The computer could execute all the PET software using its MOS 6502 processor. The 6809 CPU and the bank-switching RAM architecture adopted by the SuperPET design allowed the execution of sophisticated 6809-based software including several programming language interpreters, editors and assemblers. Several of these software products were written at the UW's Computer Systems Group using the WSL systems development language. An OSW-9 MMU (Memory Management Unit) board developed primarily by Avygdor Moise from York University, Toronto, allowed the operation of the SuperPET under the sophisticated OS-9 Operating System from Microware Systems Corp.<br /><br />The SuperPET's design was brought to the production stage by BMB CompuScience of Waterloo. The computer (also known as Micro-Mainframe or MMF9000) was announced in April, 1981 at Hanover Computer Fair, manufactured by Commodore and distributed in North America, Europe and Australia. However, the introduction of the IBM PC in August 1981 and the subsequent rapid growth of IBM PC-compatible computer market put an end to the microWAT and SuperPET programs.<br /><br /><strong>Technical specifications</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>CPU: MOS Technology 6502 and Motorola 6809 at 1MHz,</li>
<li>RAM: 96KB (64KB on an bank switched RAM board),</li>
<li>ROM: 48KB (containing Waterloo KERNAL and CBM Basic 4.0),</li>
<li>video: MOS Technology 6545, 12" monochrome display, 25 rows of 80 characters, three character sets,</li>
<li>keyboard: QWERTY-style, 62 keys, and 11-key numeric keypad,</li>
<li>ports: IEEE-488 port, two Commodore Datasette ports, Expansion port, RS232 port, CBM parallel programmable User port</li>
<li>Memory and Processor selection switches,</li>
<li>options: OSW-9 MMU (Memory Management Unit) board allowing the use of popular OS-9 Operating System,</li>
<li>other features: memory and processor selection switches.</li>
</ul>
<br /><strong>Key software</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>Waterloo KERNAL (in ROM),</li>
<li>CBM Basic 4.0 (in ROM),</li>
<li>microBASIC, microPascal, microFORTRAN, microCOBOL and microAPL from University of Waterloo Computer Systems Ltd.,</li>
<li>microEditor from University of Waterloo Computer Systems Ltd.,</li>
<li>6809 microprocessor assembler from University of Waterloo Computer Systems Ltd.,</li>
<li>OS-9 Operating System from Microware Systems Corp. (using the MMU board).</li>
</ul>
<br /><strong>Museum holdings</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>Commodore SuperPET Model 9000, serial nr. SP0002320,</li>
<li>Commodore CBM 8050 Dual Drive Floppy Disk,</li>
<li><em>Commodore Super-Pet SP9000 Technical Manual</em>, Commodore Computer, 198?</li>
<li><em>Waterloo 6809 Assembler, Waterloo microSystems SuperPET Specifics,</em> draft copy,</li>
<li>J.B. Schueler and B.J. Stecher, <em>Waterloo microPIP File Utility Program for the Commodore SuperPET,</em></li>
<li>J.C. Wilson and T.A. Wilkinson, <em>Commodore SuperPET computer: Waterloo microAPL, Tutorial and Reference Manual</em>, Waterloo Computing Systems Ltd., 1981,</li>
<li>P.H. Dirksen and J.W. Welch, <em>Commodore SuperPET computer: Waterloo microAPL, Tutorial and Reference Manual</em>, Waterloo Computing Systems Ltd., 1981,</li>
<li>J.W. Graham and K.I. McPhee, <em>Commodore SuperPET computer: Waterloo microBASIC, Tutorial and Reference Manual,</em> Waterloo Computing Systems Ltd., 1981,</li>
<li>D.D. Cowan, J.W. Graham, J.W. Welch, and T.A. Wilkinson, Waterloo BASIC for Commodore Microcomputers, Waterloo Computing Systems Ltd., 1981,</li>
<li>D.D. Cowan, J.W. Graham, J.W. Welch, and T.A. Wilkinson, Waterloo BASIC for Commodore PET, Waterloo Computing Systems Ltd., 1981,</li>
<li>P.H. Dirksen and J.W. Welch, <em>Commodore SuperPET computer: Waterloo microCOBOL, Tutorial and Reference Manual</em>, Waterloo Computing Systems Ltd., 1981,</li>
<li>F.D. Boswell, T.R. Grove, and J.W. Welch, <em>Commodore SuperPET computer: Waterloo microPascal, Tutorial and Reference Manual,</em> Waterloo Computing Systems Ltd., 1981,</li>
<li>P.H. Dirksen and J.W. Welch, Commodore SuperPET computer: Waterloo microFORTRAN, Tutorial and Reference Manual, Waterloo Computing Systems Ltd., 1981,</li>
<li>D.D. Cowan and M.J. Shaw, <em>Commodore SuperPET computer: Waterloo 6809 Assembler, Tutorial and Reference Manual,</em> Waterloo Computing Systems Ltd., 1981,</li>
<li>F.D. Boswell, T.R. Grove, K.I. McPhee, J.B. Schueler, and J.W. Welch, <em>Commodore SuperPET computer: System Overview, Tutorial and Reference Manual</em>, Waterloo Computing Systems Ltd., 1981,</li>
<li><em>Disk System User Reference Guide</em>, Commodore Electronics Ltd., 1982,</li>
<li><em>User's Manual for CBM 5 1/4-inch Dual Floppy Disk Drives</em>, Commodore Business Machines, 1983,</li>
<li>M.P. McFarlane and D.R. McNeil, <em>An Explanatory Data Analysis Package for the Commodore SuperPET</em>, SPUG/APL, May 1983,</li>
<li>D. Barnes, <em>The SuperPET STARTER-PAK</em>, 198?</li>
<li>SuperPET Bulletin Board System, printout, Paul Matzke Sysop,</li>
<li>Several documents distributed by the International SuperPET Users Group, 1984--85,</li>
<li>M. Avygdor, <em>MMU Version 2.0 Installation Procedure for 2 Boards SuperPETs</em>, York University/Toronto PET Users Group 1985(?)</li>
</ul>
<br /><strong>References<br /><br /></strong>[1] D.D. Cowan and J.W. Graham, Waterloo Microcomputer Systems for the 1980's, <em>Proceedings of the ACM '82,</em> pp. 13–17 (1982). <br /><br />[2]<em> Introducing the Remarkable Commodore SuperPET. The First Microcomputer with 5 High-Level Languages for only $2795</em>, Commodore SuperPET promotional brochure, 198?
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Designed by Computer Systems Group at the University of Waterloo, and BMB CompuScience, manufactured by Commodore
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1981
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Hardware
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
H.29
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
world, the early 1980s
Contribution Form
The set of elements containing metadata from the Contribution form.
Online Submission
Indicates whether or not this Item has been contributed from a front-end contribution form.
No
BMB Computer Science
microprocessor
personal computer
University of Waterloo
-
https://museum.eecs.yorku.ca/files/original/a2e64e06afea4c1d9e03fb7deb893f9b.jpg
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https://museum.eecs.yorku.ca/files/original/cb8ee02ab575f2e7d59405c498d4c284.jpg
cb50ac1cb157173bbbaecc14bda4f04a
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Dynalogic Collection
Description
An account of the resource
Dynalogic Corporation was among the first Canadian microcomputer manufacturers. Founded by C. Murray Bell in 1973 in Ottawa, it initially focused on the design of floppy disk systems and interfaces for minicomputers and desk-top calculators. In 1975, Dynalogic embarked on the design of a firmware controlled, microprocessor-based floppy disk system that could be interfaced with a range of minicomputers via the industry standard RS-232C interface. The result of these design and development efforts--the Series 7000 DynaTermDisk--was shown at the 1975 Canadian Computer Show. In 1976, the company moved into the general-purpose computer market. On October 1, 1976, it announced the Dynalogic Microcomputer System (DMS) -- an advanced microcomputer that employed Motorola's 6800 processor. The DMS was among the earliest microcomputers with built-in floppy disk drives. It operated under a sophisticated proprietary DYNAMO operating system (designed by Donald C. Lindsay). The first DMS was delivered to Algonquin College of Technology in Ottawa in fall of 1976. Other DMS systems were sold in Canada, the U.S., and Europe. In 1981, Bytec Management Corp. took over Dynalogic. In the same year the work had begun on the design of a portable desktop microcomputer--the Hyperion--and continued in a new Bytec subsidiary called Dynalogic Info-Tech. The Hyperion was unveiled at the 1982 spring Comdex computer show in Atlantic City as the "most powerful, portable, business computer in the world'' compatible with the IBM PC. The first Hyperions were manufactured in January of 1983 and retailed at US $4,955. The sales continued throughout 1983 and 1984 in Canada and the U.S. <br /><br /><b>Acquisition:</b> The objects in the collection have been donated by Walter Banks, Murray Bell, Diane Bruce, Dan Cohow, Robert S. Elliot, Terence Gordon, Don C. Lindsay, Brian Mahoney, Dennis Mullin, and Zbigniew Stachniak. <br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>HARDWARE </strong></span>
<ul>
<li>Dynalogic Microcomputer System (DMS), model 7042B</li>
<li>Dynalogic Microcomputer System (DMS), model 7042C</li>
<li>Dynalogic Microcomputer System (DMS), model 7082</li>
<li>Dynalogic disk drive system, model 4002B</li>
<li>Hyperion microcomputer</li>
<li>Hyperion Ex [Hyperion expansion unit]</li>
<li>Acoustic Cups for Hyperion [data communication]</li>
<li>HyperRam [Hyperion memory module by Technovation]</li>
<li>Hyperaccess (by Technovation)</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>SOFTWARE </strong></span>
<ul>
<li>DYNAMO 2.0/DO/32K, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 21 November 1977</li>
<li>DYNAMO 2.0/D1/24K, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 21 November 1977</li>
<li>DynaBASIC 2.0/AO, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 21 November 1977</li>
<li>Dynalogic Advanced Programming Package, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 1977</li>
<li>Forms Entry, Source, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 25 January, 1978</li>
<li>Dynalogic Advanced Programming Package 2.0, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 1 May 1978</li>
<li>DYNAMO 2.3, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 1 July 1978</li>
<li>DynaBASIC I 2.1/E4, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 1 March 1979</li>
<li>DynaBASIC I 2.1/E5, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 1 March 1979</li>
<li>Structured DynaBASIC I Preprocessor 1.0, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 31 May 1979</li>
<li>DYNAMO 2.4, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 31 March 1979</li>
<li>DYNAMO 3.1, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 1 October 1979</li>
<li>DMS Utility Programs, 1979</li>
<li>DYNAMO 3.1, Diagnostic Programs, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 1 July 1980</li>
<li>IN:SCRIBE [for the Hyperion], Dynalogic Info-Tech Corp., 1982</li>
<li>IN:TOUCH [for the Hyperion], Dynalogic Info-Tech Corp., 1982</li>
<li>LOTUS 123 [for the Hyperion], Dynalogic Info-Tech Corp. and Lotus Development Corp., 1983</li>
<li>LOTUS 123, System Backup for the Hyperion, Dynalogic Info-Tech Corp. and Lotus Development Corp., 1983</li>
<li>LOTUS 123, utility software for the Hyperion, Dynalogic Info-Tech Corp. and Lotus Development Corp., 1983</li>
<li>LOTUS 123 PrintGraph for the Hyperion, Dynalogic Info-Tech Corp. and Lotus Development Corp., 1983</li>
<li>LOTUS 123 Tutorial for the Hyperion, Dynalogic Info-Tech Corp. and Lotus Development Corp., 1983</li>
<li>DOS, EDLIN [DOS 1.25 for the Hyperion], Dynalogic Info-Tech Corp. and Microsoft Corp., 1982, 1983</li>
<li>Hyperion DOS(2.11), ver. 00, rev. 00, Compterm Inc., 1 July 1984</li>
<li>BASICA, Assembler [for the Hyperion], Dynalogic Info-Tech Corp. and Microsoft Corp., 1982, 1983</li>
<li>Aladin [for the Hyperion], Bytec Management Corp. and ADI America Inc., 1983</li>
<li>Various Hyperion related software</li>
<li>Source codes of various Dynalogic software including DYNAMO operating system</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>MANUALS, GUIDES, REPORTS </strong></span>
<ul>
<li><em>Dynalogic Microcomputer System Manual</em>, release 1.1, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 1 December, 1976, printed between 12 October and 1 December, 1976</li>
<li>MICRO BASIC I, USERS MANUAL, Ryan-McFarland Corp., 1976</li>
<li><em>How to use DYNAMO</em>, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 1 November, 1977</li>
<li><em>How To Use The EDITOR</em>, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 1 December, 1977</li>
<li><em>MICRO BASIC I</em>, reference card, Ryan-McFarland Corp. and Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 1977(?)</li>
<li><em>How To Use DYNAMO</em>, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 16 January, 1978</li>
<li><em>How To Use DYNAMO: User Manual</em>, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 1 July, 1978</li>
<li><em>Advanced Programming Package</em>, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 1 May, 1978</li>
<li><em>How To Use The EDITOR</em>, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 1 October, 1978</li>
<li><em>Structured DynaBASIC I Preprocessor</em>, preliminary blurb, version 1J, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 1979</li>
<li><em>How To Use DynaBASIC I</em>, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 1 February, 1979</li>
<li><em>How to Use the Laboratory Microcomputer System</em> (LMS), Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 1 March, 1979</li>
<li><em>Structured DynaBASIC I Preprocessor</em>, preliminary blurb, version 1F, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 5 March, 1979</li>
<li><em>R2.4PAK: Interface from DynaBASIC I to DYNAMO R2.4</em> addendum to <em>How to Use DynaBASIC I</em>, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 1 May, 1979</li>
<li><em>How To Use DynaSCRIPT</em>, Preliminary, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 25 May, 1979</li>
<li><em>How To Use DynaMENU Application Program Shell</em>, Preliminary, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., June 1979</li>
<li><em>How to use DYNAMO</em>, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 1 October, 1979</li>
<li><em> Dynalogic Microcomputer System </em>(DMS) Model 7042B Documentation Package, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 1 October, 1979</li>
<li><em>How To Use DynaSCRIPT</em>, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 1 November, 1979</li>
<li><em> Disk Controller PCB</em>, schematic diagrams and board layouts, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 7 Nov.--4 Dec., 1979</li>
<li><em>How To Use DynaSORT</em>, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 7 December, 1979</li>
<li><em>Additional SCRED Features</em>, SCRED Addendum, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd.(?), 18 December, 1979</li>
<li><em>DMS Memory Tests</em>, SCRED Addendum, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 1 January, 1980</li>
<li><em>DYNAMO Operating System: Introduction to the Source</em>, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., March 1980</li>
<li><em>How To Use The LSI-11 DynaSTOR</em>, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 2 September 1980</li>
<li><em>Floppy Diskette Controller (FDC) Product Specification</em>, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 30 June 1980</li>
<li><em>Style Manual for Assembler Programming</em>, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd.(?), 12 January, 1981</li>
<li><em>How To Use DYNAMO: User Manual</em>, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 16 February, 1981</li>
<li><em>How to Use DynaBASIC D</em>, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 1 February, 1981</li>
<li><em>Floppy Diskette Controller (FDC) To Dynalogic Microcomputer System (DMS) Interface Specification</em>, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 1 March 1981</li>
<li><em>How To Use The LSI-11 DynaSTOR</em>, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 1 May 1981</li>
<li><em>Hyperion, IN:TOUCH</em>,<em> Guide</em>, ver. 00, published by Dynalogic Info-Tech Corporation, 1 June, 1983</li>
<li><em>Hyperion, IN:TOUCH</em>,<em> Guide</em>, ver. 00, rev. 01, Dynalogic Info-Tech Corporation, published by Bytec Management Corp., 10 October, 1983</li>
<li><em>Hyperion, IN:SCRIBE Guide</em>, ver. 00, published by Dynalogic Info-Tech Corp., 1 June, 1983</li>
<li><em>Hyperion, IN:SCRIBE Guide</em>, ver. 00, rev. 01, published by Bytec Management Corp., 1 August, 1983</li>
<li><em>Hyperion, Multiplan, Electronic Worksheet</em>, Microsoft Corp. and Dynalogic Info-Tech Corporation, 1982</li>
<li><em>Hyperion, Setup Guide</em>, ver. 00, rev. 04, published by Bytec Management Corp., 8 August, 1983</li>
<li><em>Hyperion User Guide MS-DOS/EDLIN</em>, ver. 00, rev. 04, published by Bytec Management Corp., 5 September, 1983</li>
<li><em>Hyperion Programmer Guide</em>, ver. 00, rev. 03, published by Bytec Management Corp., 1983</li>
<li><em> LOTUS 123 User's Manual for the Hyperion Business Computer</em>, Lotus Development Corp., Release 1A, 1983</li>
<li><em>LOTUS 123 Quick Reference for the Hyperion Business Computer</em>, Lotus Development Corp., Release 1A, 1983</li>
<li><em>Hyperion Technical Reference Guide</em>, Bytec Management Corp., ver. 00, rev. 00, 15 November, 1983</li>
<li><em>Hyperion Aladin Guide</em>, Bytec Management Corp.(?), 1983</li>
<li>Hyperion DOS(2.11) Guide, ver. 00, rev. 00, Compterm Inc., 1 July 1984</li>
<li><em>Acoustic Cup Installation Instructions</em>, 2 pages</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>CORPORATE DOCUMENTS </strong> </span>
<ul>
<li><em>Introduction to: word processing software</em>, note by (?) 26 September, 1976, 3 pages</li>
<li><em> D.M.S. Release 2.0 Specifications </em>(preliminary), Dynalogic Corporation Ltd. (?), 16 March, 1977, 3 pages</li>
<li><em>Memo on Bubble/CCD Possibilities </em>, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd. (?), 24 January, 1978, 3 pages</li>
<li><em>Converting to DYNAMO 2.1 </em> (preliminary), Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 1978(?), 1 page</li>
<li><em>Mount/Dismount Questions </em>, note, D. Lindsay(?) 16 January 1979, 2 pages</li>
<li><em>DIFFERENCES: DYNAMO 2.4 from 2.3</em>, note by D. Lindsay (?), 13 March, 1979, 3 pages [in DYNAMO source]</li>
<li><em>Memory Swapping for DynaBASIC-D</em> note, D. Lindsay(?) 9 August, 1979, 3 pages</li>
<li><em>DIFFERENCES: DYNAMO 3.1 from 2.4</em>, note by D. Lindsay (?), 28 September, 1979, 7 pages [in DYNAMO source]</li>
<li><em>DYNALOGIC Ethernet </em>, note by (?) 2 January 1980, 2 pages</li>
<li><em>DIFFERENCES: DYNAMO 4.0 from 3.1</em>, note by D. Lindsay (?), 16 February, 1980, 8 pages [in DYNAMO source]</li>
<li><em>Engineering Project Codes</em>, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 2 September 1980, 10 pages</li>
<li><em>DYNAMO: Chronology and Statistics </em>, Donald C. Lindsay, three versions dated: February 1981 [included in DYNAMO Source], 2 pages; August 1981, 3 pages; May 1982, 3 pages</li>
<li><em>Proposal to Mitel: Voice Mail</em>, Dynalogic Corporation, 28 August 1981, 5 pages</li>
<li><em>DIFFERENCES: DYNAMO 4.1 from 4.0</em>, note by D. Lindsay (?), 14 August, 1981, 2 pages; another note dated 27 August, 1981, 2 pages</li>
<li><em>DIFFERENCES: DYNAMO 4.2 from 4.1</em>, note by D. Lindsay (?), 18 March, 1982, 1 page</li>
<li>A letter to F. Mozer by D. Lindsay regarding Voice Mail, 1 October, 1981, 2 pages</li>
<li>A letter from F. Mozer to D. Lindsay regarding Voice Mail, 25 October, 1981, 1 page</li>
<li><em>Technical Evaluation: Context Management Systems</em>, memo by D. Lindsay, file context 3, 29 March, 1982, 1 page</li>
<li><em>Product Definition -- DYNACOM 2000 Series</em>, rev. 1, Dynalogic, January(?) 1982(?), 17 pages</li>
<li><em>Hyperion Editor Key Mapping </em>, memo by P. Matthews to G.K. Holman, 3 September, 1982</li>
<li><em>Status of Hyperion Editor Project</em>, 4 October, 1982 to 23 January, 1983, 5 notes by D. Lindsay (?)</li>
<li>A letter from Maurice Jolicoeur, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Bytec, to Hyperion owners regarding the change of company name from Dynalogic to BYTEC -- HYPERION Division, July (?) 1983</li>
<li>A formal announcement of the merger of Bytec Management Corp. and Comterm Inc. to form Bytec-Comterm Inc., January(?) 1984</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS </strong> </span>
<ul>
<li>Dynalogic Microcomputer System, System Summary [for series 7032/7042 DMS], brochure, 2 pages, 1977(?)</li>
<li>DYNAMO Diskette Operating System, Software Summary, brochure, 2 pages, 1977(?)</li>
<li>DynaBASIC I Compiler, Software Summary, brochure, 2 pages, 1977(?)</li>
<li><i>Laboratory Microcomputer System</i> System Summary, Dynalogic, 2 pages, 1979</li>
<li><i>DYNAMO Diskette Operating System</i> Software Summary, Dynalogic, 2 pages, 1979</li>
<li><i>DynaBASIC I Compiler</i> Software Summary, Dynalogic, 2 pages, 1979</li>
<li><i>DynaBASIC L Compiler</i>, Dynalogic, 2 pages, 1979</li>
<li><i>Structured DynaBASIC Preprocessor</i>, Dynalogic, 2 pages, 1979</li>
<li><i>Advanced Programming Package (APP)</i>, Dynalogic, 2 pages, 1979</li>
<li><i>Software Licensing Policy</i>, Dynalogic, 1 page, 1979</li>
<li>Price List: Dynalogic Microcomputer System (DMS), 2 pages, 1979</li>
<li>Price List: Dynalogic Licensed Software and manuals, 1 page, 1979</li>
<li><em>Hyperion, The Most Powerful, Portable, Business Computer in the World promotional brochure</em>, Dynalogic Info-Tech, 1982(?), 2 pages [shows an older production model of Hyperion]</li>
<li><em>Hyperion, The Most Powerful, Portable, Business Computer in the World promotional brochure</em>, Dynalogic Info-Tech, 1982(?), 8 pages [shows an older production model of Hyperion]</li>
<li><em>Hyperion, Making Decisions Has Never Bees So Easy promotional brochure</em>, Dynalogic Info-Tech, 1982(?), 8 pages [shows the final production model of Hyperion]</li>
<li><em>Hyperion, Making Decisions Has Never Bees So Easy promotional brochure</em>, Dynalogic Info-Tech, 1982(?), 2 pages</li>
<li><em>Hyperion</em>, promotional brochure [possibly] distributed during the 1982 spring Comdex computer show in Atlantic City, booth number 1843, Dynalogic Info-Tech, 1982(?), 5 pages</li>
<li>Hyperion: Tested Software, July/August 1983, published by Compterm Inc. [list of software available for the Hyperion], 6 pages</li>
<li>A letter from Stephen J. McGill, Vice President, Percom Publishing, to Hyperion owners regarding the introduction of the <em>Hyperion PC Magazine</em>, 1983(?)</li>
<li>Hyperion price list from Compumart, Ottawa, 2 pp (198?)</li>
<li>Hyperion retail price list, Ottawa, 2 pp (May 1983)</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>ORAL HISTORIES </strong></span>
<ul>
<li>Interview with Murray Bell, Ottawa, October 2000 (analogue cassette recording)</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>BOOKS, RESEARCH PAPERS, ARTICLES, NEWS LETTERS </strong></span>
<ul>
<li>B. Foster and B. Southern, A College Microcomputer Facility, <i>BYTE</i> April 1978, pp. 90--96</li>
<li>D.C. Lindsay, <em>DYNALOGIC LOG</em>, 3 volumes, 1976--1983</li>
<li>D. Thomas, The Sale of a New Machine, <em>Quest</em>, November 1983, pp. 32d--32n</li>
<li>D. Thomas, <em>Knights of the New Technology. The Inside Story of Canada's Computer Elite</em>, Key Porter Books, 1983, pp. 165--183></li>
<li>R. Laver, <em>Random Excess:</em> <em>The Wild Ride of Michael Cowpland and Corel</em>, Viking Penguin, 1998, pp. 44--51</li>
<li>Z. Stachniak, The Making of the MCM/70 Microcomputer, IEEE Annals of the History of Computing, vol. 25, issue 2 (April-June 2003), pp. 62--75</li>
<li><em> THUG TIPS The Official Newsletter of the Toronto Hyperion Users Group (THUG) </em>, Toronto, November 1985</li>
<li><em> HUGO NEWS: Newsletter for the HYPERION USERS GROUP OF OTTAWA</em>, Ottawa, 1985--1988</li>
<li>Various newspaper and magazine articles on Dynalogic</li>
<li><em>Hyperion PC </em>magazine, vol. 1, nr. 1 (1984)</li>
</ul>
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OTHER </span></strong>
<ul>
<li><em>M6800 Linking Loader Reference Manual</em>, M68PRM(D), Motorola Inc., October 1976</li>
<li><em>M6800 Programming Reference Manual</em>, M68PRM(D), Motorola Inc., November 1976</li>
<li><em>M6800 Co-Resident Assembler Reference Manual,</em> M68CRA(D), Motorola Inc., November 1976</li>
<li><em>M6800 Micro Assembler Reference Manual</em>, M68ASM(D), Motorola Inc., February 1977</li>
<li><em>DYNAMO 2.0: Material for Blurb</em>, note by D. Lindsay, 7 September 1977</li>
<li><em>M6800 Resident Assembler Reference Manual</em>, M68CRA(D2), Motorola Inc., May 1979</li>
<li><em>Micro BASIC I Users Manual</em>, Ryan-McFarland Corp., 1976</li>
<li>Document folder, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd</li>
<li>Design drawing of the Hyperion case (by David Kelly?), color photocopy</li>
<li>LOTUS 123 Customer Assurance Plan, Bytec Management Corp., 1983</li>
<li>Purchase receipt for Hyperion issued by <em>Le magasin</em> Xerox, Montreal, 25 October, 1984</li>
<li>Hyperion pin</li>
<li>Assorted paper documents related to custom software developed for the DMS system.</li>
<li>Various source codes of Dynalogic software for the DMS systems</li>
<li>Various <em>Aladin</em> related documents</li>
</ul>
Subject
The topic of the resource
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://museum1.eecs.yorku.ca/www_decorations/dynalogic_logo.jpg" alt="MCM_logo" width="15%" height="15%" border="0" /></p>
The collection documents the microcomputer development activities at Dynalogic Corp.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Zbigniew Stachniak
hardware
A computer (or a calculator), its components and
peripherals (displays, printers, pointing devices, modems, external storage devices, etc).
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Hyperion Personal Computer
Subject
The topic of the resource
hardware: personal computer
Description
An account of the resource
<strong>Historical Context</strong><br /><br />Between November 1971 and April, 1972, Intel Corp. of Santa Clara, California, introduced its first two microprocessors — the 4-bit 4004 and the 8-bit 8008. Soon after, the prototypes of the first general purpose computers powered by microprocessors were already working on site at the French company Réalisations et Études Électroniques located in the suburbs of Paris, at Micro Computer Machines with headquarters situated on the outskirts of Toronto, and at Microsystems International Ltd. headquartered in Montreal. These and other firms fully recognized, articulated, and acted upon the immense potential of the budding microprocessor technology for the development of a new generation of cost effective computer hardware.<br /><br />In 1973, C. Murray Bell incorporated Dynalogic Corporation in Ottawa to design, develop, and manufacture floppy disk drive systems that could be interfaced with a range of computers and programmable calculators. The floppy diskette systems shipped up to mid-1975 had hardwired controllers designed to work with specific computers. This solution was costly since different computer models typically required different floppy drive controllers that would have to be designed and assembled. In 1975, the company entered the microprocessor market with its release of a firmware controlled, microprocessor-based floppy disk system that could be interfaced with a range of computers. The new floppy drive system could be programmed to operate with a specific computer instead of building a dedicated controller to provide such functionality. The system was unveiled at the 1975 Canadian Computer Show & Conference.<br /><br />In the following year, the company moved into the general-purpose computer market. On October 1, 1976, it announced the Dynalogic Microcomputer System (DMS) — an advanced microcomputer that employed the Motorola 6800 processor. The DMS was among the earliest microcomputers with built-in floppy disk drives. It operated under a sophisticated UNIX-style proprietary DYNAMO operating system. <br /><br />In 1981, Bytec Management Corp. took over Dynalogic, renamed it Dynalogic Info-Tech, and initiated the work on the design of a portable desktop microcomputert — the Hyperion. The computer was unvailed at the 1982 spring Comdex computer show in Atlantic City as the ``most powerful, portable, business computer in the world''. In the same year, the computer was shown during the <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica;">Canadian Computer Show in Toronto and the fall COMDEX in Las Vegas. <br /><br />The Dynalogic Info-Tech Hyperion was one of the first 'luggable' computers compatible with the imensly popular IBM PC. The computer was hosted in a plastic case and featured a buit-in display and two diskette drives. Detachable keyboard slid inside the case for storage. Optional 300 bit/s modem and an acoustic coupler were available.<br /><br /></span>The first Hyperions were manufactured in January of 1983 and retailed at US $4,955. The sales continued throughout 1983 and 1984 in Canada and the U.S. Several Hyperion user groups were formed across Canada including:<br />
<ul>
<li>Calgary Hyperion User Group (CHUG), Calgary, AB</li>
<li>Hyperion User Group of BC, Richmond, BC</li>
<li>Hyperion Users Group of Saskatoon, Saskatoon, SK</li>
<li>Hyperion Users Group of Laurentian Uuniversity, Sudbury, ON</li>
<li>Hyperion Users Group of Montreal, Montreal, QC</li>
<li>Hyperion Users Group of Ottawa (HUGO), Nepean, ON</li>
<li>Toronto Hyperion Users Group, Toronto, ON</li>
<li>Welland Hyperion User's Group, Welland, ON.</li>
</ul>
<br /><strong>Hardware:</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>CPU - Intel 8088,</li>
<li>Math co-processor - Intel 8087 (optional),</li>
<li>RAM - 256 Kbytes (expandable to 640 Kbytes) ,</li>
<li>ROM - 8 Kbytes,</li>
<li>VRAM - 16 Kbytes,</li>
<li>diskette drives: double sided double density, 360 Kbytes 5.25",</li>
<li>display: 7-inch, amber, with built-in screen blanker; display resolutions: 320x200, 320x250, 640x200, and 640x250,</li>
<li>keyboard: QWERT, detachable,</li>
<li>internal 300-baud modem opertaed under IN:TOUCH communication software (optional),</li>
<li>hardware expandable using the Hyperion EX Expansion Unit.</li>
</ul>
<strong>Software/Guides</strong>:<br />
<ul>
<li><em>DOS 1/25, EDLIN</em>, Dynalogic Info-Tech Corp. and Microsoft Corp., 1982, 1983,</li>
<li><em>Hyperion DOS 2.11,</em> ver. 00, rev. 00, Compterm Inc., 1 July 1984</li>
<li><em>IN:SCRIBE</em>, Dynalogic Info-Tech Corp., 1982,</li>
<li><em>IN:TOUC</em>H communication software, Bytec-Comterm Inc., 1982,</li>
<li><em>LOTUS 123</em>, Dynalogic Info-Tech Corp. and Lotus Development Corp., 1983,</li>
<li><em>LOTUS 123</em>, System Backup for the Hyperion, Dynalogic Info-Tech Corp. and Lotus Development Corp., 1983,</li>
<li><em>LOTUS 123</em>, utility software for the Hyperion, Dynalogic Info-Tech Corp. and Lotus Development Corp., 1983,</li>
<li><em>LOTUS 123 PrintGraph for the Hyperion</em>, Dynalogic Info-Tech Corp. and Lotus Development Corp., 1983,</li>
<li><em>BASICA Assemble</em>r, Dynalogic Info-Tech Corp. and Microsoft Corp., 1982, 1983,</li>
<li><em>Aladin</em>, Bytec Management Corp. and ADI America Inc., 1983.</li>
</ul>
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Dynalogic Info-Tech, Bytec Management Corp.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1982-1985
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
H.31, H.44
Relation
A related resource
Dynalogic collection
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
North America, 1983-1985
Contribution Form
The set of elements containing metadata from the Contribution form.
Online Submission
Indicates whether or not this Item has been contributed from a front-end contribution form.
No
Canadian
Dynalogic Info-Tech
Hyperion
IBM PC
IBM personal computer
microcomputer
PC
personal computer
-
https://museum.eecs.yorku.ca/files/original/1abbdd30e9b8181b49c4cae3e6ef30a2.jpg
947a979f62deb7779b887378d567a97e
hardware
A computer (or a calculator), its components and
peripherals (displays, printers, pointing devices, modems, external storage devices, etc).
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
LANPAR Personal Computer
Description
An account of the resource
<strong>Historical context</strong>:<br />LANPAR Technologies Inc. (also known as Les Technologies LANPAR Inc.), was a company founded in 1970 (as LANPAR Ltd.) by Rene Pardo in Markham, Ontario. Six years later, the company changed its name to LANPAR Technologies Inc. Prior to LANPAR's incorporation, Pardo and Remy Landau developed the first commercial electronic spreadsheet and named it LANPAR (LANguage for Programming Arrays at Random).<br /><br />Until the early 1980s, LANPAR was Canada's largest independent distributor of computer terminals. Its main line of business was the sale, rental, and service of computer terminals (mostly the products of Digital Equipment Corporation) and printers.<br /><br />Between 1982 and 1988, the company was involved in the distribution and manufacturing of personal computers. In 1982 and 1983, the company was selling the Osborne 1 computer (developed by California-based Osborne Computer Corp.) through Osborne Canada owned by LANPAR. Before the introduction of its own IBM XT-compatible computer--the LANPAR PC--in 1986, the company was also distributing IBM PC and -XT compatible computers from the American AT&T and Eagle Computer manufacturers. As a service-oriented company, LANPAR offered their services in most major Canadian cities (it had 15 service centers in 1986).<br /><br />The highly competitive PC market of the 1980s eventually forced the company to shift its corporate focus to sales and service of PC networking products. The company was dissolved in January 2003.<br /><br /><strong>LANPAR PC technical specifications:</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>CPU: NEC D8088D, 16-bit, 5MHz</li>
<li>ROM: BIOS by Phoenix Technologies Ltd.</li>
<li>RAM: up to 640KB</li>
<li>hard-drive: 20 MB (optional)</li>
<li>keyboard - IBM-style</li>
<li>display: choice of 12" monochrome or composite monitor</li>
<li>external storage: one or two 5.25" floppy disk drives</li>
<li>ports: serial and parallel</li>
<li>expansion slots: 8</li>
</ul>
<strong>Upgrade options:</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>8087 coprocessor</li>
<li>IBM XT-style keyboard</li>
<li>integrated tape back-up unit</li>
<li>13" full-color monitor</li>
<li>communication board</li>
</ul>
<strong>Software:</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>operating system: MS-DOS 3.2</li>
<li>optional software: the computer's IBM XT compatibility allowed to use a large library of software written for the IBM XT platform.</li>
</ul>
The museum has a LANPAR Personal Computer model LPC, serial number L610206, with a keyboard. It is equipped with two floppy disk drives, a parallel port card, a monochrome graphic and printer card, and a floppy disk controller card.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
LANPAR Technologies Inc.
Subject
The topic of the resource
hardware: personal computer
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1986
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Canada, 1986-88
Lanpar
personal computer
-
https://museum.eecs.yorku.ca/files/original/830dda82632ec09258f0d205e30c65db.jpg
2792e0a238394becacc9d9a2b5b28962
https://museum.eecs.yorku.ca/files/original/e3e46ec682820bdb9933241306d00a5a.png
cbcbc899ce398f6a30eb49428bff91f9
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Micro Computer Machines Collection
Description
An account of the resource
<div>In April, 1972, Intel Corp. of Santa Clara, California, announced its first 8-bit microprocessor — the 8008. In just a few months, the prototypes of the first general purpose computers powered by the 8008 chip were already working on site at the French company Réalisations et Études Électroniques located in the suburbs of Paris and at Micro Computer Machines (MCM) with headquarters situated on the outskirts of Toronto. These firms fully recognized, articulated, and acted upon the immense potential of the budding microprocessor technology for the development of a new generation of cost effective computing systems. However, it was MCM which built and, later, manufactured the first microprocessor-based computer designed specifically for personal use — the first PC.<br /><br />MCM's first computer—the MCM/70—was designed in the period between 1972 and 73 and announced on September 25, 1973, in Toronto. The computer was unveiled in New York on September 27th and, the following day, in Boston. One of its early prototypes was demonstrated in May of 1973 during the Fifth International APL Users' Conference in Toronto. The MCM/70 computers were purchased in North America and Europe by acedemic institutions as well as large organizations and companies including Chevron Oil Research Company, Firestone, Toronto Hospital for Sick Children, Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, Ontario Hydro-Electric Power Commission, NASA Goddard Space Flight Centre, and U.S. Army.<br /><br />The MCM/70 was followed by the MCM/700 (1975), /800 (1976), /900 (1977), the Power (1980) computers.</div>
<div>
<p><b> Acquisition:</b> The objects in the collection have been donated by E.M. Edwards Estate, A. Arpen, R. Bernecky, R. Elliott, L. Gladstone, M. Kutt, J. Laraya, G. Ramer, R. Rea, G. Seeds, M. Smyth, Z. Stachniak, and J. Woods.</p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">HARDWARE</span></strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Early MCM/70 prototype (based on Intel SIM8-01) (1972)</li>
<li>Memory board from the rack-mounted MCM/70 prototype (1972)</li>
<li>MCM/70 Executive (1973)</li>
<li>early MCM/70 ROM board (1973?)</li>
<li>MCM/70 Model 708 computer (1974)</li>
<li>MCM/70 power supply (1974?)</li>
<li>MCM printer, Model MCP 132 N (1975)</li>
<li>DDS-1000 Diskette Subsystem (1975)</li>
<li>MPD-1000 Diskette Subsystem (1975)</li>
<li>A prototype of an MCM/700 variant designed by E.E. Edwards (1975?)</li>
<li>MCM/800 Model 808 computer (1976)</li>
<li>A prototype of an MCM/800 variant designed by E.E. Edwards (1977?)</li>
<li>MCM/900 Model 924 computer (1978)</li>
<li>MCM Micro Power Model 524 computer (1981)</li>
</ul>
<p> <strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">SOFTWARE</span></strong> </p>
<ul>
<li><em>MCM/70 Mathematics Library</em>, May 7, 1974</li>
<li><em>MCM/70 Statistics Library</em>, May 7, 1974</li>
<li><em>MCM/70 Finance Library</em>, May 7, 1974</li>
<li><em>MCM/70 Electricity and Electrical Engineering Library</em>, May 7, 1974</li>
<li><em>MCM/70 Fun and Games Library</em>, May 7, 1974</li>
<li><em>APL A* code listings</em>, June 4, 1980</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>MANUALS and GUIDES </strong></span>
<ul>
<li><em>MCM/70 Introductory Manual</em><strong>,</strong> Micro Computer Machines (1973)</li>
<li>J. Morgan Smyth, <em>MCM/70 User's Guide</em><strong>, </strong>Micro Computer Machines (1974) (spiral bounded preprint)</li>
<li>J. Morgan Smyth, <em>MCM/70 User's Guide</em> , Micro Computer Machines, Toronto and Kingston (1974)</li>
<li><em>MCM/70 Installation Guide</em><strong>,</strong> MCM (1974?)</li>
<li><em>MCM/70 Desk Top Computer, Distributor Service Manual</em>, Preliminary issue, Micro Computer Machines (September 1974)</li>
<li><em>MCP-132 (HyType) Printer Operating Guide</em>, MCM (July 1975)</li>
<li><em>MCM/APL Reference Cards</em><strong>,</strong> MCM (1976 and May 1981)</li>
<li><em>SCI-1200 Communications Sub-System, Installation Instructions and Reference Manual</em>, MCM (1976?)</li>
<li><em>MCP-132 Printer User's Guide</em>, rev. 1 (June 1, 1977)</li>
<li><em>DDS-500 Dual Disk System User Guide</em> [preliminary], Micro Computer Machines (June 8, 1977)</li>
<li><em>MCM System/800 Utilities Manual</em><strong>,</strong> rev. AA, MCM (August 1977)</li>
<li><em>MCM Computers System 800: Using The MCM Computer as a Terminal and Transferring Data to and from APL Plus</em>, manual nr. 018 033, rev. AA, MCM (January 1978)</li>
<li><em>VDU-9620 Reference Manual,</em> MCM (August 1978)</li>
<li><em>DDS-1000 Diskette Drive User's Manual,</em> MCM Computers Ltd., rev. AA (October 1978)</li>
<li><em>TEXT/900 Word Processing System</em>, MCM Computers Ltd., rev. AC (November 1978)</li>
<li><em>MCM/900 User's Manual</em><strong>,</strong> rev. AB, MCM (December 1978)</li>
<li><em>MCM LIB/8 System Documentation</em> [describes a collection of APL functions which facilitate the creation and maintenance of a library of user application packages for the MCM/800], Micro Computer Machines (197?)</li>
<li><em>FAS: Financial Accounting System User's Manual</em>, MCM Computers Ltd. (197?)</li>
<li><em>Fast Functions on the MCM/900,</em> MCM Computers Ltd. (197?)</li>
<li><em>FAS: Financial MCM System/900 Utilities Manual</em>, MCM Computers Ltd., rev. AA (February 1979)</li>
<li><em>MCM System/900 Utilities Manual,</em> rev. AA, MCM (February 1979)</li>
<li><em>Communications Subsystem Reference Manual</em>, rev. AB, MCM Computers Ltd. (March 1979)</li>
<li><em>MCM/900 User's Manual,</em> MCM Computers Ltd., rev. AC (May 1979)</li>
<li><em>TEXT/900 With Data Files</em>, Supplementary Documentation, MCM Computers Ltd., rev. AA (July 1979)</li>
<li><em>CAS-900 Client Accounting System</em>, MCM Computers Ltd. (September 19, 1979)</li>
<li><em>DCS: Data Communication System User's Guide</em>, version 3, MCM Computers Ltd. (April 1980)</li>
<li><em>Small Business System: Programmer's Reference Manual,</em> version 1, MCM Computers Ltd. (August 1980)</li>
<li><em>MCM/APL User's Guide</em>, preliminary release, MCM Computers Ltd. (September 1980)</li>
<li><em>Client Accounting System, General Ledger, Accounting Reports</em><strong>,</strong> MCM Computers Ltd. (February 1981)</li>
<li><em>Client Accounting System, Time and Charges</em>, MCM Computers Ltd. (February 1981)</li>
<li><em>924/1024 System Technical Manual</em> [preliminary], MCM (February 27, 1981)</li>
<li><em>[]ZZ System Functions User's Guide</em>, preliminary release, MCM Computers Ltd. (March 31, 1981)</li>
<li><em>Power Mail: Message Processing Facility</em>, MCM (May 1981)</li>
<li><em>POWER Utilities User's Guide,</em> preliminary release, MCM Computers Ltd. (June 1981)</li>
<li><em>Distributor Announcement</em>, No. 44, MCM (May 11, 1982)</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>CORPORATE DOCUMENTS<br /> 1971</strong></span> <br />
<ul>
<li>Hypothecation of Shares and Purchase of Shares Agreements Between Gordon Ramer and Merslau Kutt (December 28, 1971)</li>
<li>Kutt Systems, Inc., Micro Computer Machines Inc., and MCM Computers Ltd. corporate data, Ontario Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations, Toronto, file number 251340 (copy on micro-fish)</li>
<li>Intel's Invoice for: SIM4-01, MP7-01, and MCS-4 chip set to be sent to Mers Kutt, December 28, 1971</li>
<li>Intel's Form of Invoice for: SIM4-01, MP7-01, and MCS-4 chip set to be sent to Mers Kutt, signed by Hank Smith, December 28, 1971</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong> 1972</strong></span>
<ul>
<li>Intel, Shipping Request for SIM4-01, SIM8-01, MP7-02, to be delivered to Mers Kutt, May 12, 1972</li>
<li>Intel, Packing Slip for SIM4-01, SIM8-01, MP7-02, to be delivered to Mers Kutt, May 12, 1972</li>
<li>Intel's Form of Invoice for: SIM4-01, SIM8-01, MP7-02, to be sent to Kutt Systems Inc., May 12, 1972</li>
<li>Intel's Form of Invoice for: SIM8-01 to be sent to Kutt Systems Inc., May 23, 1972</li>
<li>Minutes of the Special General Meeting of the Shareholders of KUTT SYSTEMS INC., Saturday, November 11, 1972, 1 page</li>
<li>Micro Computer Machines Inc., 1972 Financial Statements (draft), 7 pages</li>
<li>Letter from Hal Fenney (Intel) to Mers Kutt, October 4, 1972 [re SIM8-01 board], 1 page</li>
<li>Note from Hank Smith (Intel) to Mers Kutt, October 4, 1972 [re SIM8-01 board], 1 page</li>
<li>Micro Computer Machines Inc., 1972 Financial Statements, 7 pages</li>
<li>Micro Computer Machines Company Certificate from the Registry Office for the Registry Division of Toronto (April 17, 1972)</l i></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>1973</strong></span></span>
<ul>
<li>Collection of design documents of two MCM/70 prototypes (April-July, 1973)</li>
<li>Agreement to Purchase and Transfer Stock (March 7, 1973?)</li>
<li>Receipt for MCM shares purchase (April 5, 1973)</li>
<li>Portfolio of MCM Shareholder Documents (May 7 and May 14, 1973)</li>
<li>Agreement between G. Ramer and M. Kutt, 4 pages (May 16, 1973)<br />Letter to MCM shareholders, signed Mers Kutt, President, 2 pages (August 24, 1973)</li>
<li>Letter from Micro Computer Machines to Canadian Consulates, signed Mers Kutt, President, 2 pages (November 1, 1973)</li>
<li>Letter to MCM shareholders, signed Mers Kutt, President, 1 page (November 1973)</li>
<li>Micro Computer Machines Inc., 1973 Interim Financial Statements (unedited), 6 pages</li>
<li>Micro Computer Machines Inc., 1973 Financial Statements, 6 pages</li>
<li>Collection of MCM corporate information documents (1973)</li>
<li>Collection of Kutt Systems Inc. and MCM Inc. Corporate Documents (1973)</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>1974</strong></span></span>
<ul>
<li>MCM corporate information, 31 pages, 1974</li>
<li>Letter to potential users of MCM products, February 1974, signed by Peter J. Wolfe, Manager, Business Systems, 1 page.</li>
<li>Micro Computer Machines Inc., Purchase Order no 10199 [for Intel's MCS8s], March 1, 1974, 1 page</li>
<li>Data Device Corporation price list for MCM products, May 13, 1974, 1 page</li>
<li>Micro Computer Machines Inc., Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, May 17, 1974, signed ?, Secretary</li>
<li>Data Device Corporation quotation for an MCM/70 system, May 21, 1974, signed Ted Berg, Vice President, 1 page</li>
<li>Letter to shareholders of Micro Computer Machines Inc,. May 28, 1974, signed Mers Kutt, President, 2 pages</li>
<li>Letter from Micro Computer Machines Inc. to APL'ers, 1974(?), signed Ted Berg, President, 1 page</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>1975</strong></span></span>
<ul>
<li>Letter to potential users of MCM products, 1975(?) [re the announcement of the IBM 5100], signed Ted Berg, President, 1 page</li>
<li>Letter from Ted Berg to Sales Representatives "Notice of Upcoming Product Features", November 27, 1975, signed T.M. Berg, 1 page</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>1976</strong></span></span>
<ul>
<li>Letter from Borden and Elliot to Gordon Ramer, November 26, 1976, 2 pages</li>
<li>Micro Computer Machines Inc., Common Shares, issued in 1976</li>
<li><i>MCM/700 Configuration</i>, technical specification, May 7, 1976</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>1977</strong></span> </span>
<ul>
<li>Letter from Borden and Elliot to Gordon Ramer, March 9, 1977, 2 pages</li>
<li>Agreement to Purchase and Transfer Ownership of Stock, October 29, 1977</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>1978</strong></span> </span>
<ul>
<li><i>Powerful New Business Computer System Introduced by MCM</i>, MCM Computers Ltd. press release, 1978, 1 page</li>
<li>MCM Computers Ltd., 1978 Auditors' Report. 8 pages</li>
<li>Distributor Price List, September 27, 1978, 1 page</li>
<li>Interactive Computer Systems, Inc., Price List, November 1, 1978, 2 pages</li>
<li>System 800/900 Actuarial/Insurance Users, November 1978, 1 page</li>
<li>Distributorship Agreement, 1978, 12 pages</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>1979</strong></span> </span>
<ul>
<li>1978 Auditors' Report, February 13, 1979, 8 pages</li>
<li>Canadian Price List, MCM, March 1, 1979, 2 pages</li>
<li>Distributor Price List, MCM, March 1, 1979, 1 page</li>
<li>Letter to shareholders of MCM Computers Ltd, May 24, 1979, 2 pages, signed C.M. Williams, President</li>
<li>Notice of Correction, letter to shareholders of MCM Computers Ltd, June 4, 1979, signed B.C. Wallace, Chairman, 1 page</li>
<li>MCM Computers Ltd., Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, May 25, 1979, signed by W.S. Robertson, Secretary, 1 page</li>
<li>MCM Computers Ltd., Proxy, May 1979, 1 page</li>
<li>Representative System 800/900 Installations, May 1979, 3 pages</li>
<li>Canadian Price List, MCM, July 1, 1979, 2 pages</li>
<li>Distributor Price List, MCM, July 1, 1979, 2 pages</li>
<li>TAS-900 Pricing, November 26, 1979, 1 page</li>
<li><i>Cost Justification for the DMS/FAS on the System 900</i>, MCM, 1979(?), 2 pages</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>MARKETING MATERIALS<br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">1973</span></span></strong></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong></strong></span>
<ul>
<li><em>Media/Press Release</em>, September 28, 1973, 4 pages [the announcement of the MCM/70]</li>
<li><em>MCM/70 Desk Top Computer</em>, Preannouncement, Confidential Information [promotional brochure with an MCM/70 prototype on the first page], 2 double-sided pages, August 1973</li>
<li><em>MCM/70 Desk Top Computer</em> [promotional brochure with an MCM/70 prototype on the first page], 1 double-sided page, 1973</li>
<li><em>The MCM/70T Intelligent Terminal</em> [promotional brochure], 1 page, November(?) 1973</li>
<li><em>A Sample of Quotations from Letters Received</em>, November 1973, 2 pages [quotations from letters received by MCM re the MCM/70]</li>
<li><em>Collage of articles on the MCM/70 prepared by MCM for shareholders</em>, 1973, 6 pages</li>
<li><em>Inquiries & Responses Received After Trip</em> [to Europe with the MCM/70 prototype], 2 pages</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>1974</strong></span></span>
<ul>
<li><em>MCM/70 Desk Top Computer</em> [promotional brochure with the production model of the MCM/70 on the front page], 4 double-sided pages [includes information on the MCM/70 hardware, preliminary specifications of the MCM/APL interpreter, information on the MCM/70 in science, business, and education], February 1974</li>
<li><em>The MCM/70 in education</em> [promotional brochure], 2 double-sided pages, 1974?</li>
<li><em>MCM/70 Desk Top Computer</em> [promotional brochure with the production model of the MCM/70 on the front page], 5 double-sided pages [includes information on the MCM/70 hardware, preliminary specifications of the MCM/APL interpreter, information on MCM as well as on the MCM/70 in science, business, and education], 1974</li>
<li><em>MCM/70 Desk Top Computer</em>, MCM/APL [promotional brochure with the production model of the MCM/70 on the front page], 5 double-sided pages [includes information on the MCM/70 hardware, preliminary specifications of the MCM/APL interpreter, information on MCM as well as on the MCM/70 in science, business, and education], 1974</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>1975</strong></span></span>
<ul>
<li><em>Introducing The Smallest, Least Expensive, Stand-Alone APL Desktop Computer MCM/700</em> [promotional brochure], 6 pages</li>
<li><em>MCM Sales Reference</em>, 21 pages, 1975?</li>
<li><em>SDS-250/DDS-500 Diskette Subsystems</em> [promotional brochure], 2 pages, 1975?</li>
<li><em>PMR-400 Card Reader</em> [promotional brochure], 2 pages, 1975?</li>
<li><em>MCP-132 Printer/Plotter </em>[promotional brochure], 2 pages, 1975?</li>
<li><em>Application Libraries</em> [list of software for the /700 system], 4 pages</li>
<li>Promotional letter from Peter J. Wolfe, Marketing Manager, to potential MCM clients, 2 pages.</li>
<li>MCM price list, 1 page.</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>1976</strong></span></span>
<ul>
<li><em>MCM News, Newsletter, vol 1</em>(?) [most likely published in the early 1976], 8 pages</li>
<li><em>Micro Computer Machines, Inc.</em>, Distributor Information Kit, Micro Computer Machines, 1976</li>
<li><em>System 800</em>, [MCM Computers promotional brochure for the MCM/800 system], 6 pages</li>
<li><em>System Software</em>" [information on software for the MCM/800], 2 pages</li>
<li><em>Applications Library Summary</em> [information on software libraries for the] MCM/800, 4 pages</li>
<li><em>PVAS A new concept for Performing Pension Actuarial Valuations and Pension Plan Administration</em> [promotional brochure for the /800 system], 6 pages</li>
<li><em>TEXT 800, Word Processing with System 800</em> [promotional brochure for the /800 system], 3 pages</li>
<li><em>TEXT 800, Word Processing with System 800</em> [promotional brochure for the /800 system], 2 pages</li>
<li><em>VDU-9620 Video Display For System 800</em> [promotional brochure], 5 pages</li>
<li>< <em>VDU-9620 Video Display For System 800</em> [promotional brochure], 2 pages</li>
<li><em>MCP-132 Printer/Plotter</em> [promotional brochure], 2 pages</li>
<li><em>DDS-500 Diskette System</em> [promotional brochure], 2 pages</li>
<li><em>Here's what other Actuaries say about the MCM/800 system</em> [promotional brochure], 6 pages</li>
<li><em>MCM's System 800: the combination of data processing and word processing</em> [promotional brochure], 1 page</li>
<li><em>The MCM/800 System Software,</em> 2 pages</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>1977</strong></span>
<ul>
<li><em>MCM FI-PLAN</em> [the MCM/800 promotional brochure], 2 pages</li>
<li><em>System 800 Demonstration Package,</em> Rev. AA, October 1977, 9 pages</li>
<li>O. Zimmerman, <em>MCM/800 and APL Gain Acceptance in Insurance Applications at Crown Life,</em> 9 pages</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>1978</strong></span>
<ul>
<li><em>MCM FI-PLAN: Sample Projection</em> , 6 pages</li>
<li><em>MCM 800 vs Timesharing</em> , 6 pages</li>
<li><em>If you spend more</em>[...] [the MCM/900 promotional brochure], 2 pages</li>
<li><em>APL and Virtual Memory</em> [...] [the MCM/900 promotional brochure], 2 pages</li>
<li><em>MCM 800 vs IBM 5110,</em> 2 pages</li>
<li><em>Introducing....</em> [the MCM/900 promotional brochure], 4 pages</li>
<li><em>MCM Computers: System 900</em> [the MCM/900 promotional brochure], 4 pages</li>
<li><em>Businesses today are faced with a maze of problems</em> [the MCM/900 promotional brochure], 2 pages, 1978?</li>
<li><em>APL and Virtual Memory -- two main reasons why...</em> [the MCM/900 promotional brochure], 2 pages, 1978?</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>1979</strong></span>
<ul>
<li><em>DCS/900 Data Communications with System/900</em> [promotional brochure], 1 page, 1979?</li>
<li><em>AID/900 Utilities and Libraries for System/900</em> [promotional brochure], 1 page, 1979?</li>
<li><em>LIB/900 Program Development with System/900</em> [promotional brochure], 1 page, 1979?</li>
<li><em>PLOT/900 Plotting Software for System/900</em> [promotional brochure], 2 pages, 1979?</li>
<li><em>MCM Computers System/900</em> [promotional brochure], 4 pages, 1979?</li>
<li><em>System 900: The Affordable Solution</em> [promotional brochure], 2 pages, 1979?</li>
<li><em> CAS-900 Client Accounting System</em> [promotional brochure], 4 pages, 1979?</li>
<li><em>TEXT/900 Word Processing with System/900</em> [promotional brochure for the /800 system], 3 pages, 1979?</li>
<li><em>TEXT/900 Word Processing with System/900</em> [promotional brochure for the /800 system], 1 page, 1979?</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>1980</strong></span>
<ul>
<li><em>Power </em>[MCM Power promotional brochure], 4 pages, 1980?</li>
<li>Product Data Sheet and Hardware Tech Spec[brochures for the MCM Power], 2 pages, 1980?</li>
<li><em>MCM User Support Notes,</em> May 15, 1980 -- March 20, 1981.</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>PHOTOGRAPHS </strong></span>
<ul>
<li>Photograph of the MCM/70 wide-case prototype, b/w original (1973)</li>
<li>Photograph of E.E. Edwards with the MCM/70 Executive, b/w original. Photograph for <i>Politiken</i> (1973)</li>
<li>Photograph of the MCM/70, b/w original, (1973?)</li>
<li>The announcement of the MCM/70, Toronto, Sep. 25, 1973 -- b/w original (Sep. 25, 1973)</li>
<li>Photograph of the MCM/800 with CRT -- b/w original (1976?)</li>
<li>Photograph of the MCM/900 business system -- b/w original (1978?)</li>
<li>Photograph of the MCM/900 computer -- b/w original (1978?).</li>
<li>The MCM/700 production line, MCM's manufacturing facility in Kingston. Photograph by Jose Laraya(?) (1975?)</li>
<li>DDS-500, photograph by Jose Laraya(?) (1975?)</li>
<li>3 photographs of the MCM/800 by Jose Laraya(?) (1976?)</li>
<li>6 photographs of MCM team at York University (photographs of Andre Arpin, Don Genner, Mers Kutt, Morgan Smyth, Gord Ramer). Photograph by Z. Stachniak (November 2001)</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>MCM DIGITAL LIBRARY </strong></span>
<ul>
<li>Andre Arpin speaking at York University, Toronto, March 28, 2003 (audio)</li>
<li>Andre Arpin, MCM/70 -- The First Portable Microcomputer presentation, York University, Toronto, March 28, 2003 (PowerPoint)</li>
<li>interview with Andre Arpin, Kingston, April 10, 2001 (audio)</li>
<li>interview with Don Genner, Guelph, August 31, 2001 (audio)</li>
<li>interview with Mers Kutt, Toronto, March 1, 2001 (audio)</li>
<li>interview with Mers Kutt, Toronto, March 6, 2001 (audio)</li>
<li>Mers Kutt speaking at York University, Toronto, October 24, 2001 (audio)</li>
<li>interview with Mers Kutt, Toronto, November 11, 2002 (audio)</li>
<li>interview with Jose Laraya, Toronto, September 13, 2001 (audio)</li>
<li>interview with Jose Laraya, Toronto, September 28, 2001 (audio)</li>
<li>interview with Gordon Ramer, Toronto, March 27, 2001 (audio)</li>
<li>nterview with Reg Rea, Stoney Creek, October 20, 2005 (audio)</li>
<li>interview with Morgan Smyth, Toronto, July 25, 2001 (audio)</li>
<li>interview with John Woods, Milton, October 22, 2008 (audio)</li>
<li>e-mail communications with former users of MCM hardware</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>BOOKS, RESEARCH PAPERS, ARTICLES </strong></span>
<ul>
<li>A. Arpin, External Allocation System (EASY) / A Virtual System (AVS). In <em>Proc. of the APL 75 Congress</em>, Pisa, Italy (1975)</li>
<li>R.F. Bauer, Implementation of APL on Small Computers. In <em>Proc. of the APL 79 Conference</em>, Rochester N.Y. (1979)</li>
<li>B.J. Bleackley and J. LaPrairie, <em>Entering the Computer Age. The Computer Industry in Canada: The First Thirty Years</em>, The Book Society of Canada Ltd, 1982</li>
<li>J. Chevreau, The Third Coming of Mers Kutt, <em>Report on Business Magazine</em>, November 1985, pp. 111--118</li>
<li>M. Kutt, microcomputer development notes, (1972), 36 pages</li>
<li>J. Morgan Smyth, <em>York APL</em>, Ryerson Polytechnic Institute, Toronto (1972)</li>
<li>J. Morgan Smyth, EASY and AVS: The Two Auxiliary Storage Subsystems of the MCM/70. In<em> Proc. of the APL 75 Congress,</em> Pisa, Italy (1975), pp. 313--319</li>
<li>G. Ramer(?) <em>York APL Users Guide</em>, APL Systems, November 15, 1971</li>
<li>Stachniak, Z. Learning from Prototypes, IEEE Annals of the History of Computing, vol. 42, no. 2 (2020), pp. 63-71.</li>
<li>Stachniak, Z. Software Recovery and Beyond: The MCM/70 Case, IEEE Annals of the History of Computing vol. 41, nr. 4 (2019), pp. 110-118.</li>
<li>Stachniak, Z. MCM on Personal Software, IEEE Annals of the History of Computing, vol. 39, no. 1 (2017), pp. 29--51.</li>
<li>Z. Stachniak, The Making of the MCM/70 Microcomputer,<i> IEEE Annals of the History of Computing</i>, vol. 25, issue 2 (April-June 2003), pp. 62--75.</li>
<li>Z. Stachniak, The MCM/70 Microcomputer, <i> Core 4.1</i>, The Computer History Museum (September 2003), pp. 6--12</li>
<li>A. Wahl, Kutt's last stand, <i>Canadian Business</i> (October 11--24, 2006), pp. 56--64.</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>OTHER </strong></span>
<ul>
<li>Collection of documents concerning EE.Edwards' participation in the 1973<em> International APL Conference</em> in Denmark. The collection includes an invitation from the Danish Computing Society (Jun 8, 19073), an English translation of the "Computer in a briefcase" article that appeared in <i>Politiken</i> on August 23, 1973, and a photograph of E.E. Edwards with the MCM/70 Executive.</li>
<li>Several MCM digital cassettes</li>
<li>I love APL, MCM sticker</li>
<li><em>Pavement Management System</em>, manual, MCM/POWER, 83 pages (198?)</li>
<li>Lecture notes from an MCM seminar taken by Russell Elliott on June 9--10, 1977</li>
<li>Seven files of various software printouts</li>
<li>Intel 4004 uComputer; the first single board computer received by MCM from Intel in 1972</li>
<li>MCM's ten-th anniversary coffee mug.</li>
</ul>
</div>
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Zbigniew Stachniak
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2003-2021
Subject
The topic of the resource
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://museum1.eecs.yorku.ca/www_decorations/MCM_logo.jpg" alt="MCM_logo" width="5%" height="5%" border="0" /></p>
The MCM Collection documents computer development activities at Micro Computer Machines (MCM).
hardware
A computer (or a calculator), its components and
peripherals (displays, printers, pointing devices, modems, external storage devices, etc).
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
MCM/70 @ 50 Catalog
Subject
The topic of the resource
exhibit catalog
Description
An account of the resource
Catalog published by York University Computer Museum on the occasion of the MCM/70 @ 50 exhibit at Steacie Science and Engineering Library, York University, November 2023.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
York University Computer Museum
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
November, 2023
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
catalog
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
York University Computer Museum
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
York University Computer Museum
Contribution Form
The set of elements containing metadata from the Contribution form.
Online Submission
Indicates whether or not this Item has been contributed from a front-end contribution form.
No
Apple e II
PC
personal computer
-
https://museum.eecs.yorku.ca/files/original/16849816538edc3c763383c31c542ae0.png
6d173fe5615606f0078230f49063db19
https://museum.eecs.yorku.ca/files/original/25f955c8d6d18663c37ed23378b49ef3.jpg
e67dbe80d5190c3baabd73a1e83c5703
https://museum.eecs.yorku.ca/files/original/ff35444d6420a2c1e470ee761bcc7a06.png
94912505816007921d9dc15f22bd0cab
https://museum.eecs.yorku.ca/files/original/426c7803e70a4dd37dd9d57c0f27d663.png
2d9333612c6af0406109ea9cbe0832cf
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
NABU Network Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The NABU Network was designed and implemented by an Ottawa-based company NABU Manufacturing between 1981 and 1983. The underlying idea behind the network was to link home personal computers to cable television networks that would supply a continuous, high speed stream of computer programs and information to homes. NABU Manufacturing identified cable television as uniquely ideal technology to deliver digital information services to homes and educational institutions because of cable's high bandwidth and wide coverage in North America. <br /><br />On October 15, 1983, NABU Network was launched 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, VA, on Tribune Cable -- a 5,000 subscriber service. A year later the network was available on Ottawa's Skyline Cablevision and in Sowa, Japan, via a collaboration between NABU and ASCII Corp. <br /><br />NABU Network subscribers could rent or buy a NABU Personal Computer and dedicated network adaptor, and use an ordinary television set as a display monitor. Once connected to the network, a user could choose from various application programs and services in categories including entertainment, information and guides, education, and professional programs. Dedicated NABU magazines, newsletters, programming guides, and user groups provided subscribers with supplementary information and support. The NABU Network's public launch in 1983 marked the creation of the first commercial computer network to provide high-speed access to information and services directly to homes of personal computer users. Financial difficulties lead NABU Network Corp. (formerly NABU Manufacturing) to close down its operations in 1986. <br /><br />
<p><b> Acquisition:</b> The objects in the collection have been donated by D. Adkinson, J. Amanatides, R. Banks, J. De Carlo, M. Kenzie, B. McNally, D. Sawyer, T. Shepard, A.G.M. Smith, Zbigniew Stachniak, and R.J. Tremblay.</p>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>HARDWARE </strong></span>
<ul>
<li>NABU Personal Computer, 4K ROM</li>
<li>NABU Personal Computer, 8K ROM</li>
<li>NABU Adaptor</li>
<li>NABU 1100 workstation</li>
<li>NABU 1600 desktop computer with external disk drives</li>
<li>Various S-100 boards for the NABU 1100 computer made by Andicom Corp.</li>
<li>Joysticks for the NABU Personal Computer</li>
<li>External disk drive station for the NABU Personal Computer</li>
<li>NABU 4404 terminal</li>
<li>NABU 3100 terminal</li>
<li>NABU 3116 terminal</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>SOFTWARE </strong></span>
<ul>
<li>NABU CP/M Plus operating system and utility software for the NABU Personal Computer, NABU Network & Digital Research</li>
<li>CP/M operating system for the NABU 1600 computer</li>
<li>CP/M operating system for the NABU 1100 workstation</li>
<li><i> Heli Tank </i> computer game, NABU 1983 (ASCII Corp. version)</li>
<li>NABU Network cycle for CABSERVE development system (1982--1986)</li>
<li>Software development tools for CABSERVE development system (1982--1986)</li>
<li>NABU Network DOS (historical software reconstruction), YUCoM 2008</li>
<li>NABU Network main menu (1983 version, historical software reconstruction), YUCoM 2008</li>
<li>XENIX 1.1 NABU 1600 Release Note, 1983.</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>MANUALS and GUIDES </strong></span>
<ul>
<li><i>NABU Personal Computer User's Guide</i>, first edition, November 1982, NABU Manufacturing</li>
<li><i>NABU Personal Computer User's Guide</i>, Second edition, September 1983, NABU Manufacturing</li>
<li><i>NABU Basic User's Reference Manual</i>, first edition, September 1984, NABU Network Corp.</li>
<li><i>NABU Network Guide</i>, first edition, November 1982, NABU Manufacturing Corp.</li>
<li><i>CP/M Plus (Operating System) User's Guide</i>, version 3, Digital Research, 1983</li>
<li><i>CP/M Plus (Operating System) Programmer's Guide</i>, version 3, Digital Research, 1983</li>
<li><i> CP/M Plus (Operating System) System Guide</i>, version 3, Digital Research, 1983</li>
<li><i>Programmer's Utilities Guide For the CP/M Family of Operating Systems </i>, Digital Research, 198?</li>
<li><i>Symbolic Instruction Debugger Productivity Tool Reference Manual for the CP/M-80 Family of Operating Systems </i>, Digital Research, 1981</li>
<li><i>NABU Logo Learner's Guide</i>, Interim Version, NABU Network, 1983</li>
<li><i>NABU PC Disk Drive User's Guide</i>, Interim Version, NABU Network, May 1984</li>
<li><i>The NABU Network: Technical Specifications</i>, NABU Manufacturing, 198?</li>
<li><i>NABU Personal Computer Application Programmer's Manual</i>, NABU Manufacturing report 50-90020490, June 8, 1984</li>
<li><i>The NABU Network Product Training Kit,</i> NABU Manufacturing, October 10, 1983</li>
<li>NABU 3100 Users Manual, Nabu Manufacturing, 1982(?)</li>
<li>< NABU 1600 User's Operating Guide, Nabu Manufacturing, 1982</li>
<li>NABU 1600 MS-DOS User's Guide, Nabu Manufacturing, 1982</li>
<li>NABU 1600 Word Processing Reference Guide, Preliminary Draft, NABU Manufacturing, 1983</li>
<li>NABU 1600 XENIX Command Guide, Preliminary Draft, NABU Manufacturing, 1983</li>
<li>NABU 1600 User's Operating Guide, Preliminary Draft, NABU Manufacturing, 1983</li>
<li>NABU 1600 XENIX Pre-Release Technical Supplement, Preliminary Draft, NABU Manufacturing, 1983</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <strong>CORPORATE DOCUMENTS </strong> </span>
<ul>
<li>D. Sawyer. Report on the Conference on the Electronic Mall (New York, December 9--10, 1981), December 15, 1981</li>
<li>D. Sawyer. Report on the Western Cable Show (Anaheim, December 14, 1981), December 14, 1981</li>
<li>D. Sawyer. HOME NABU: A Proposal for the Initial Product Line. August 1981</li>
<li>D. Sawyer. NABU: Proposed Product Planning Process. August 1981</li>
<li>D. Sawyer. HOME NABU: Four Perspectives on the Home NABU. 1st draft, August 1981</li>
<li>NABU Manufacturing Corporation. Wood Gundy Ltd. prospectus for a public offering of securities, October 26, 1981</li>
<li>NABU Manufacturing Corp. Financial Statements, 1982</li>
<li>D. Sawyer. Report on the Winter Consumer Electronics Show (Las Vegas, January 7--10, 1982), January 15, 1982.</li>
<li>Portfolio of early documents describing the NABU Network sent by P.A. Wilson and E.R. Goodwin to S. Paterson, June 9, 1982</li>
<li><i>NABU Introduces Personal Computer</i>, news release, Nabu Manufacturing, May 1982</li>
<li><i>Acquisition of Volker-Craig by NABU Manufacturing Corp.</i>, a letter from A. Werenko, VP Sales, Volker-Craig, to distributors, OEM's, and House Accounts, January 29, 1982</li>
<li><i>Volker-Craig Limited Announces Acquisition by NABU Manufacturing Corporation</i>, news release, Volker Craig, January 7, 1982</li>
<li>A.M. Chitnis. Broadcast data transmission methods (NABTS, DIDON, etc.). Memorandum, June 8, 1982</li>
<li>D. Sawyer. Trip Report on the Winter Consumer Electronics Show (Las Vegas, 1983), January 14, 1983</li>
<li>A.M. Chitnis and W.D.M. Sawyer. Cable Computing Comes of Age. Presentation notes for the BNR Old-Boys Club (date unknown, possibly 1983)</li>
<li><i>Consumer/Education Division. Market and Business Analysis,</i> Release 1.0. NABU Manufacturing, August 31, 1983</li>
<li>Neil Telling. Products and Services for CATV Products, memorandum (date unknown)</li>
<li><i>NABU and Rogers Launch the NABU Network in Vancouver</i>, news release, NABU Manufacturing, August 18, 1983</li>
<li><i>Rogers Cable TV-Vancouver launches the NABU Network broadcast software service this fall in Vancouver</i>, news release, August 18, 1983</li>
<li>NABU Network Corporation Common Shares certificate, February 15, 1984</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL </strong> </span>
<ul>
<li><i>MicroCable Plus: Right for the Times</i>, promotional brochure, Nabu Manufacturing, 1982</li>
<li><i> Introducing MicroCable Plus</i>, promotional brochure, Nabu Manufacturing, 1982</li>
<li><i>Order Entry/Billing, General Ledger, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Sales Analysis</i>, software promotional brochure, Nabu Manufacturing, 198?</li>
<li><i>The NABU Network... a business so right for cable</i>, promotional brochure, Nabu Manufacturing, 198?</li>
<li><i>NABU Manufacturing Corporation</i>, corporate brochure, 1982</li>
<li><i>The NABU 1600: The Beginning of a New Era of Computers</i>, promotional brochure, NABU Manufacturing, 198?</li>
<li><i>The NABU 3116 Video Display Terminal</i>, promotional brochure, NABU Manufacturing, 198?</li>
<li><i>The NABU 3055 Letter Quality Printer</i>, promotional brochure, NABU Manufacturing, 198?</li>
<li><i>The NABU 3201 Correspondence Quality Printer</i>, promotional brochure, NABU Manufacturing, 198?</li>
<li><i>The NABU Network: A technological breakthrough. Our technology. Your breakthrough</i>, promotional brochure, NABU Manufacturing, 198?</li>
<li><i>Tune in to a continuing adventure in computer programming</i>, promotional brochure, NABU Manufacturing, 198?</li>
<li><i>The NABU Network</i>, promotional brochure, NABU Manufacturing, 1982</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong> NEWS LETTERS, NETWORK GUIDES, and OTHER PUBLICATIONS </strong></span>
<ul>
<li><i>The Hard Copy</i>, vol. 1, no. 1, 2, 4, 1986 (monthly newsletter)</li>
<li><i>The Changing Times</i>, March 1985 (bi-monthly newsletter)</li>
<li><i>The Education Channel, Computers, Children & Education</i>, the education channel guide, NABU Network, 198?</li>
<li><i>The NABU Network Content Guide</i> (monthly guide), August 15--September 15, 1984</li>
<li>P. O'Connor, NABU: the brains network; in <i>Canadian Bu$iness</i>, March 1982</li>
<li>C. Nesbitt, <i>Nabu Manufacturing Corporation</i>, McLeod Young Weir, January 31, 1984</li>
<li>Nabu Network price list, August 18, 1983</li>
</ul>
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> OTHER DOCUMENTS </span></strong>
<ul>
<li><i>NABU's Writer Tutorial</i>, original screen print, 198?</li>
<li><i>NABU CALC</i> application program information pages, original screen print, 198?</li>
<li><i>Fancy Font</i> application program information pages, original screen print, 198?</li>
<li>< <i>Music Maker</i> application program information pages, original screen print, 198?</li>
<li><i>Kiddy Park</i> game information pages, original screen print, 198?</li>
<li><i>Fancy Font</i> NABU Network subscription receipts, 1985-1986</li>
<li><i>The NABU Network is changing for you</i>, letter to customers, Richard Haas, NABU Network, August 9, 1985</li>
<li>A letter to NABU subscribes, Ottawa CableVision Ltd., October, 1983</li>
<li>A letter to NABU subscribes, Ottawa CableVision Ltd., March 16, 1984</li>
<li>A letter to a customer regarding purchasing of the NABU CP/M Plus operating system, May 22, 1984.</li>
<li><i>Share the NABU Experience</i>, a note to customers, 198?</li>
<li>The NABU Network CCTA Satellite Demonstration, one page handout prepared for the 26th Annual Convention and CABLEXPO, Calgary Alberta, May 16--19, 1983.</li>
<li>Correspondence between Terry Shepard and the NABU Network, September-October, 1985</li>
<li><i>Cable Options... We've only just begun. 26th Annual Convention and CABLEXPO</i>, Calgary Alberta, May 16--19, 1983</li>
<li>A.M. Chitnis and W.D.M. Sawyer. Cable Computing Comes of Age. In <i>Cable Options... We've only just begun. 26th Annual Convention and CABLEXPO,</i> Calgary Alberta, May 16--19, 1983, pp. 13--19</li>
<li>A binder documenting the use of a NABU 1600 system by D.J. Adkinson.</li>
</ul>
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> PHOTOGRAPHS and VIDEOS </span></strong>
<ul>
<li>NABU Personal Computer, a photograph, 1983, CJOK CTV video, 1984</li>
<li><i>Leo Binkowski September 29/84</i>, CJOK CTV video, 1984</li>
</ul>
Subject
The topic of the resource
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://museum1.eecs.yorku.ca/www_decorations/nabu_logo.jpg" alt="MCM_logo" width="20%" height="20%" border="0" /></p>
The collection documents the development and installation of the NABU Network created by Nabu Manufacturing.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Zbigniew Stachniak
hardware
A computer (or a calculator), its components and
peripherals (displays, printers, pointing devices, modems, external storage devices, etc).
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
NABU Personal Computer
Subject
The topic of the resource
hardware: personal computer
Description
An account of the resource
<strong>Historical Contex</strong>t<br /><br /> <em>The whole crew is instilled with the fervent enthusiasm of</em><br /> <em>Those Who Have Seen The Light. On everyone's lips is</em><br /> <em>the sacred name of the ancient Babylonian god of writing.</em><br /> <em>NABU. Bringer of wisdom and understanding.</em><br /> <em>NABU. Bringer of great pots of money.</em><br />[P. Kinsman, NABU, NABU! One More Time From the Top, <em>Enterprise</em>, July 1981]<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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).<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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). <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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 <em>The NABU Network</em> magazine lists over 140 titles available on Ottawa Cablevision's NABU Network. In Ottawa, NABU program listings were available online (on <em>NABU's Network Guide</em>) 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><strong>References:</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>Stachniak, Z. Early Commercial Electronic Distribution of Software, <i> IEEE Annals of the History of Computing</i>, January-March (2014), pp. 39-51.</li>
</ul>
<br /><strong>The NABU PC technical specifications:</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>CPU - ZILOG Z80A, 8-bit, 3.58MHz clock speed,</li>
<li>RAM - 64Kb, NPC's main memory under the CPU's control,</li>
<li>RAM - 16Kb, video display memory under the video processor's control,</li>
<li>ROM - 4K or 8K (hosting software for bootstrap, self-test, and initialization),</li>
<li>video processor - Texas Instruments TMS 9918A,</li>
<li>sound generator - General Instrument AY-3-8910 programmable sound generator,</li>
<li>external storage - floppy diskette drives; a floppy drive controller was required to be installed in one of the expansion,</li>
<li>expansion ports - four 30-pin,</li>
<li>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,</li>
<li>game controllers - up to two controllers connected to the keyboard via DB-9 connectors; 8 position and fire button control,</li>
<li>display - 24 lines of 40 characters, 16 colors (including transparent); requires a dedicated computer monitor or a television set connected via RF modulator,</li>
<li>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),</li>
<li>data transmission rate - 6.312 Mbits.</li>
</ul>
<strong>The NABU PC systems software:</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>NABU BDOS - NABU Basic Downloadable Operating System, NABU Network Corp., 1982-1986</li>
<li>XIOS1 - Extended Internal Operating Software, module 1, NABU Network Corp., 1982-1986</li>
<li>XIOS2 - Extended Internal Operating Software, module 2, NABU Network Corp., 1982-1986</li>
<li>Disk Utilities for NABU floppy disk drive, Digital Research, 1983 and NABU Network Corp., 1983</li>
<li>RAM test utility program, NABU Network Corp., 198?</li>
</ul>
<br /><strong>NABU Network applications and information programs in the museum's collection</strong><br /><br />
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>title</th>
<th>category</th>
<th>creator</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ALPHABLAST II</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1982</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ALPHA LAB LOGO</td>
<td>educational program</td>
<td>unknown</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ANGLE TANGLE LOGO</td>
<td>educational program</td>
<td>unknown</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ANTARCTIC VENTURE</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>Konami, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ANTONYM ANTICS</td>
<td>educational game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AQUATTACK</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>Interphase Technologies Inc., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ATMOSPHERE</td>
<td>educational game</td>
<td>Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ATOMS</td>
<td>educational game</td>
<td>Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BACKGAMMON</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1982</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BIORHYTHMS</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1982</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BEEVADERS</td>
<td>LOGO game</td>
<td>unknown</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>B.C. MATCH UP</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1982</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>B.C. TRIVIA</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1982</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CAPACITORS</td>
<td>educational game</td>
<td>Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CFONT</td>
<td>office program</td>
<td>SoftCraft, 1982</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CHECKERS</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CHINESE HOROSCOPES</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1982</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CIRCUS CHARLIE</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CIRCUIT</td>
<td>educational program</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1982</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>COMPUTER GLOSSARY</td>
<td>information program</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1983</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CORRECT-IT</td>
<td>educational game</td>
<td>Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CYCLONS</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>Syntax Software Inc., 1983</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DARTS AND BALLOONS LOGO</td>
<td>educational game</td>
<td>unknown</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DECIMALS</td>
<td>educational game</td>
<td>Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DEFINITION</td>
<td>educational game</td>
<td>Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DEPOT</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1983</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>EFONT Edit</td>
<td>office program</td>
<td>SoftCraft, 1982</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>EMBASSY CAPER</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>FANCY FONT TUTOR</td>
<td>information program</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>FLIP AND FLOP</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>First Star Software, 1983; NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>FRACTIONS</td>
<td>educational game</td>
<td>Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>FRENCH VERBS I</td>
<td>eduactional program</td>
<td>Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>FROGGEE</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>Commercial Data Systems Ltd., 1982</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GRAMMAR</td>
<td>educational game</td>
<td>Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HEAVYWAIGHT BOXING</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>Takara/Hal, 1983</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HERBS & SPICE 1</td>
<td>information program</td>
<td>605477 Ontario Inc., 1985</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HERBS & SPICE 2</td>
<td>information program</td>
<td>605477 Ontario Inc., 1985</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HYPER SPORTS</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>Konami, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>INTERVALS</td>
<td>educational program</td>
<td>Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>KEYBOARD</td>
<td>educational program</td>
<td>Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>KIDDY PARK</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>KNOW-IT-ALL</td>
<td>information program</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LASER ATTACK</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1983</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LEARNING LETTERS</td>
<td>educational program</td>
<td>Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LEARNING NUMBERS</td>
<td>educational program</td>
<td>Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LOGO ACTIVITY HELP</td>
<td>information program</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1983</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LOGO PREVIEW</td>
<td>information program</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LOGO REFERENCE</td>
<td>information program</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MACBETH</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1983</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MAKE UP</td>
<td>educational game</td>
<td>Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MANIA</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp, 1983</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MATH ATTACK LOGO</td>
<td>educational game</td>
<td>unknown</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MATH PUZZLE</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MATH QUIZ</td>
<td>educational game</td>
<td>Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MAZE CRAZE</td>
<td>LOGO game</td>
<td>unknown</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>METRIC CONVERTER</td>
<td>educational game</td>
<td>Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>METRO BLITZ</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>Cymbal Software Inc, 1983</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MINERAL HUNT</td>
<td>LOGO educational game</td>
<td>unknown</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MINER 2049ER</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MIX-IT</td>
<td>educational game</td>
<td>Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MOONSWEEPER</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MORTGAGE CALC</td>
<td>home management</td>
<td>NABU Manufacturing Corp., 1982</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MOTION AND FORCE</td>
<td>educational game</td>
<td>Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MOTORCYCLE</td>
<td>educational game</td>
<td>Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MR. CHIN</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>Hal, 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MUMMY'S TOMB</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MURDER MANSION</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NABU BASIC V2.0</td>
<td>programming language</td>
<td>unknown</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NABU BASIC TUTOR</td>
<td>information program</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984; code follows directory</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NABU CALC</td>
<td>spreadsheet</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NABU CALC TUTOR</td>
<td>information program</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NABU FILER</td>
<td>database program</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NABU FILER TUTOR</td>
<td>information program</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NABU LOGO, rev. 01</td>
<td>programming language</td>
<td>LOGO Computer Systems Inc., 1983</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NABU SPELLER</td>
<td>office program</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NABU SPELLER TUTOR</td>
<td>information program</td>
<td>NABU 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NABU WRITER</td>
<td>office program</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 198</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NABU WRITER TUTOR</td>
<td>information program</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 198</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NEOCLYPS</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>Cymbal Software Inc, 1983</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NIMBLE</td>
<td>LOGO game</td>
<td>unknown</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NOTES AND STAFF</td>
<td>educational game</td>
<td>Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NOUNS</td>
<td>educational game</td>
<td>Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>O CANADA LOGO</td>
<td>educational game</td>
<td>unknown</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PAINTPOT</td>
<td>educational program</td>
<td>unknown</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PARLOR POWER</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PERCENTAGES</td>
<td>educational game</td>
<td>Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PINBALL</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>John Allen, 1981</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PING</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Manufacturing Corp., 1983</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PLANETS</td>
<td>educational game</td>
<td>Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PRINTER TUTORIAL</td>
<td>information program</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PROVINCES LOGO</td>
<td>educational game</td>
<td>unknown</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>QA DIG DUG</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>Namco Ltd., NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>QA GALAXIAN</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>Namco Ltd., NABU Network Corp., 1983</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>QA PAC-MAN</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1983, 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>QUEST FOR TIRES</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>Sierra On-Line Inc., Sydney Development Corp., 1983</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Q*BERT</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RENEGADE</td>
<td>educational game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1983</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RESISTORS</td>
<td>educational game</td>
<td>Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ROULETTE</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1983</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RUNES</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SARGON II CHESS</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>Dan and Kathleen, Hayden Book Comp. Inc., 1981</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SCHMOZZLE</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SHAPES</td>
<td>educational game</td>
<td>Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SHAKESPEARE</td>
<td>educational game</td>
<td>Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SKETCH</td>
<td>art program</td>
<td>unknown</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SKI SARAJEVO</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SKI WHISTLER</td>
<td>game</td>
</tr>
<tr></tr>
<tr>
<td>SLEUTH</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SPORTS STUMPER</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>STEP UP</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SUPER BILLIARDS</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>Bubble Bus Software, NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SUPER BLOOPER</td>
<td>educational game</td>
<td>Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>THE INFORMER</td>
<td>information program</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1986</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TIME PILOT</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TONES & SEMITONES</td>
<td>educational game</td>
<td>Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TOURNAMENT POKER</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TRACK & FIELD 1</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TRACK & FIELD 2</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TV IQ</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UFO'S</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Manufacturing Corp., 1982</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WHIZ MIND LOGO</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>unknown</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WINE WATCH</td>
<td>information program</td>
<td>Wine Consultants of Canada, 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WING WAR</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WIZTYPE</td>
<td>educational game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1982</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WIZTYPE TUTOR</td>
<td>office program</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1982</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WORD MASTERMIND</td>
<td>educational game</td>
<td>Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WORD ROTATE</td>
<td>educational game</td>
<td>Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ZIPPER</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1983</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ZORK I</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ZOT!</td>
<td>game</td>
<td>NABU Network Corp., 1984</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />The museum has several NABU PC and Adaptor units including the NABU PC 4K and 8K ROM models.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
NABU Network Manufacturing Corp., NABU Network Corp.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1982--1986
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
1983-1986, Ottawa (Canada), Alexandria (US), and Sowa (Japan)
Contribution Form
The set of elements containing metadata from the Contribution form.
Online Submission
Indicates whether or not this Item has been contributed from a front-end contribution form.
No
EDS
NABU
network
PC
personal computer
-
https://museum.eecs.yorku.ca/files/original/3b5a6d569d5bf7c41f25ed349ee41a4f.jpg
e596cd01df7ae12f7ac43744e52db273
https://museum.eecs.yorku.ca/files/original/ddf8915193a663a8dbd92431c8014109.png
275c4e74c541853aa55da2ed7195bd67
hardware
A computer (or a calculator), its components and
peripherals (displays, printers, pointing devices, modems, external storage devices, etc).
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Pied Piper computer
Subject
The topic of the resource
hardware: home computer
Description
An account of the resource
The Pied Piper was designed in the early 1980s by Semi-Tech Microelectronics Corp. (STM) and advertised as a portable, low-cost, versatile business computer. It was sold with the <em>Perfect Software</em> package. The Pied Piper consisted of a CPU unit in plastic enclosure with a built-in keyboard and a single diskette drive. The computer had a keyboard cover which enhanced the computer's portability. It could use any standard TV set or a monitor as a display terminal. In 1983, the Pied Piper was shown at the NCC show in Anaheim, California and at the Fall Comdex show in Las Vegas.<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="color: #666666;"></span><br />The computer operated under the CP/M 2.2 OS and was<br />sold with software package from Perfect Software Inc. Optional software included MBASIC (Microsoft), dBase II (Ashton-Tate), WordStar (MicroPro International), and Multiplan (Microsoft).<br /><br /><strong>Hardware:</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>CPU: Z80A CPU</li>
<li>RAM: 64 Kbytes</li>
<li>VRAM: 2 Kbytes</li>
<li>ROM: 8 Kbytes</li>
<li>display: text mode only (24 lines x 40 or 80 characters), 16 colors</li>
<li>keyboard: QWERTY, 62 keys</li>
<li>ports: serial RS232C port, parallel printer port, RF Modulator port, external diskette drive port</li>
<li>diskette drive: 5.25 inch (164 Kbytes, formatted)</li>
<li>expandability: expansion for two boards, optional external diskette drive, interface for hard drive </li>
</ul>
The museum has a Pied Piper, model PPC 001, serial number 100983189 and the following software and documentation:<br /><br /><strong>Software and Documentation:</strong><br />
<ul>
<li><em>PerfectWriter</em> (with manual), Perfect Software (1983)</li>
<li><em>PerfectSpeller</em> (with manual), Perfect Software (1983)</li>
<li><em>PerfectCalc</em> (with manual), Perfect Software (1983)</li>
<li><em>PerfectFiler</em> (with manual), Perfect Software (1983)</li>
<li><em>Modem Master (</em>with<em> Modem Communications Manual)</em>, Semi-Tech Microelectronics (1983)</li>
</ul>
The computer was purchased on December 17th, 1983 at Gladstone Electronics -- one of the most popular computer stores in Toronto in the early 1980s.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Semi-Tech Microelectronics Corp
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Hardware
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Hardware
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
H.18
Contribution Form
The set of elements containing metadata from the Contribution form.
Online Submission
Indicates whether or not this Item has been contributed from a front-end contribution form.
No
Canadian
personal computer
Pied Piper
Toronto Business Machines Ltd.