The original NetWinder Linux microcomputer was developed by Corel and offered in 1998. In January 1999, Hardware Computing Canada of Ottawa acquired the NetWinder division from Corel and change the name of the combined company to Rebel.com. The company continued revising and manufacturing the NetWinder line of computers until July 2001 when Rebel filed for bankruptcy. The hardware configuration of the Rebel.com rack-mounted NetWinder Server was similar to that of the original Corel NetWinder with some notable exceptions such as no multi-media support (audio and video) and a larger 3.5 inch hard disk that offered 10-26MBytes of storage. The museum has a Rebel.com NetWinder server model MWRM0735, serial number 800-00016. NetWinder documentation and other resources are available from netwinder.org site.
Historical context: 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. 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 environments. A 1979 study conducted at the University of Waterloo (UW) on possible use of microcomputers for academic applications concluded that "many of the jobs run on computers at Waterloo could be done using the computational capacity possessed by microcomputers." [1] However, "none of the inexpensive, mass-manufactured microcomputers had the appropriate hardware to operate our planned software, mainly because the memory was not large enough, and because there was insufficient flexibility, particularly with respect to input/output." [1] The study set in motion two microcomputer development projects at the Computer Systems Group (CSG) of UW -- the microWAT and the SuperPET. The microWAT was designed jointly by CSG and Jerry Krist of Northern Digital Ltd. of Waterloo. The computer was demonstrated in December 1980 and subsequently manufactured by Northern Digital. The microWAT was a small CPU unit that required a separate keyboard, display, and external storage to form a computer system. At UW, MicroWATs used Volker-Craig video display terminals and Commodore IEEE disk drives. Several microWATs were installed inside "dumb" display terminals converting them into versatile desktop computers that could operate with diskette drives, printers, plotters, and could be networked with other systems such as the IBM Series/1 minicomputers operating at UW. The computer was built around the Motorola 6809 microprocessor and all its hardware was deposited on several printed circuit boards including the CPU, I/O, ROM, and RAM boards. An additional small ROM card sealed from tampering (referred to as the "key" card or the "chocolate bar") was a software security device containing a key required to access software written at UW including micro BASIC, Pascal, FORTRAN, COBOL and APL. According to former Northern Digital employee Heinz Wolter "The most interesting thing in that whole system was that Wes Graham (of Watfor fortran compiler fame) had written a copyrighted poem (Haiku) that was an unencrypted key required to run the software." The microWATs were used, among other places, at UW for academic teaching and research. 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. microWAT technical specifications: CPU -- Motorola 6809, 8-bit RAM -- three memory cards, 32Kb each ROM -- 60Kb ports -- two RS-232 compatible serial ports (implemented using MOS Technology 6551 Asynchronous Communications Interface Adapter), a single parallel port (implemented using the MOS Technology 6522 Versatile Interface Adapter) microWAT software: monitor micro BASIC, Pascal, FORTRAN, COBOL and APL languages The museum has a microWAT computer with a CSG "key" card. References: [1] D.D. Cowan and J.W. Graham, Waterloo Microcomputer Systems for the 1980's, Proceedings of the ACM '82, pp. 13–17 (1982). [2] R.L. Hughson, Alternations in the oxygen deficit-oxygen debt relationship with beta-adrenergic receptor blockade in man", J. Physiol. 349, pp. 375-387 (1984).
Developed by the University of Waterloo, Manufactured by Northern Digital Ltd.
Historical Context The whole crew is instilled with the fervent enthusiasm of Those Who Have Seen The Light. On everyone's lips is the sacred name of the ancient Babylonian god of writing. NABU. Bringer of wisdom and understanding. NABU. Bringer of great pots of money. [P. Kinsman, NABU, NABU! One More Time From the Top, Enterprise, July 1981] The growing popularity of home and personal computing in the late 1970s and early 1980s created a vibrant software industry supplying microcomputer users with a vast range of software products. During that period, the main form of the commercial microcomputer software distribution was packaged software sold in computer stores and outlets in the form of ROM cartridges, tape cassettes, and floppy diskettes. Even though the prices of personal and home computers were falling sharply in the early 1980s, the cost of good quality software remained the same reflecting, in part, high distribution costs. Electronic distribution of software directly into homes of computer owners originated in the second half of the 1970s. It was a novel, fast, and cost-effective alternative to packaged software's expensive, long, and multi-stage delivery process. A computer or a video game console owner could subscribe to an electronic distribution of software service (EDS service) that and gain an electronic access to software and data for a low monthly fee (of, approximately, the cost of a single commercial packaged software). By the early 1980s, several North American and European companies were already distributing software using common communication links (such radio waves, cable television (CATV), or telephone networks). While Europe was experimenting with EDS via teletext and videotex television services, several North American companies were looking into using CATV's superior high-speed digital information delivery capability for the purpose of mass-market distribution of home and recreational software. By the early 1980s, a large percentage of urban households in North America had a direct link to cable TV. Furthermore, a strong growth of the home computer and video game console markets was projected until at least mid-1980s. Such forecasts supported the prospects of vast new sources of revenues for cable providers derived from bundling EDS with other CATV-based nonprogramming services. The NABU Network was possibly the most advanced and foremost among the early CATV-based EDS services. It was a brainchild of a Canadian entrepreneur John Kelly. The NABU Manufacturing Corp., which would spawn the NABU Network Corp., was incorporated in June 1981. It was initially created through the amalgamation of three companies: Bruce Instruments Ltd. (manufacturer of cable TV converters based in Almonte), MFC Microsystems International Inc. (a distributor of computer hardware and software for small business systems), and Computer Innovations Ltd. (which operated computer retail stores across Canada). Soon after, NABU Manufacturing acquired Andicom Technical Products Ltd. (a manufacturer of small business computers based in Toronto), Consolidated Computer Inc. (a manufacturer and distributor of key-edit systems), Mobius Software Ltd. (an Ottawa-based software consulting company), and Volker-Craig (a Kitchener-based manufacturer of video-display terminals). NABU's business plan was to capture a sizable share of the microcomputer market by offering the world's first cable-ready computers and by implementing a new delivery method for software and information -- the NABU Network. The company announced its network during the 1982 National Cable & Telecommunications Association conference in Las Vegas. In May 1983, the company transmitted its programming via satellite from Ottawa to terminals installed at the 26th Annual Convention of the Canadian Cable Television Association in Calgary. The transmission used the ANIK-D1 satellite, and it was a live feed from Ottawa. The NABU Network was officially launched on 15 October 1983 on Ottawa Cablevision, an 85,000-subscriber company where much of NABU's testing was performed. Soon thereafter, the network made its US debut in Alexandria, Virginia, on Tribune Cable, a 5,000 subscriber service. The launch marked the creation of the first commercial computer network to provide high-speed access to information, software, and digital entertainment directly to homes of personal computer users. The network was based on the concept of computers linked to cable television networks which could supply a constant stream of computer programs and information to almost unlimited number of users at high speed. NABU considered cable television a uniquely ideal technology to deliver software and data to home computers because of its high bandwidth and networking capabilities. To access NABU Network, customers had to purchase or rent a NABU Personal Computer (NABU PC) and a network adaptor that provided an interface between the NABU PC and the CATV's dedicated channel. The network provided its subscribers with a multi tier service that offered software and information in a range of categories, including entertainment, education, family information, home management, and a network guide. The November-December 1984 issue of The NABU Network magazine lists over 140 titles available on Ottawa Cablevision's NABU Network. In Ottawa, NABU program listings were available online (on NABU's Network Guide) as well as in local newspapers and dedicated NABU magazines. The NABU PC could be operated as a stand-alone desktop computer. For this purpose, NABU supplied its customers with Digital Research CP/M 3 operating system and floppy disk drives. Because of the company's financial difficulties, unfavourable market conditions, and regulatory constraints, the NABU Network went off the air on 31 August 1986 in both Ottawa and Alexandria. Rights to exploit commercial applications of NABU Network technology--that is, to selling the technology to corporations that could provide their own content--were vested in International Datacasting Corp. created in 1984. References: Stachniak, Z. Early Commercial Electronic Distribution of Software, IEEE Annals of the History of Computing, January-March (2014), pp. 39-51. The NABU PC technical specifications: CPU - ZILOG Z80A, 8-bit, 3.58MHz clock speed, RAM - 64Kb, NPC's main memory under the CPU's control, RAM - 16Kb, video display memory under the video processor's control, ROM - 4K or 8K (hosting software for bootstrap, self-test, and initialization), video processor - Texas Instruments TMS 9918A, sound generator - General Instrument AY-3-8910 programmable sound generator, external storage - floppy diskette drives; a floppy drive controller was required to be installed in one of the expansion, expansion ports - four 30-pin, keyboard - 66 key QWERTY-style (including 8 cursor and control as well as "YES" and "NO" keys), detachable, microprocessor-controlled, features two game controller connectors, game controllers - up to two controllers connected to the keyboard via DB-9 connectors; 8 position and fire button control, display - 24 lines of 40 characters, 16 colors (including transparent); requires a dedicated computer monitor or a television set connected via RF modulator, ports/connectors - serial EIA RS422 Adaptor interface, 8-bit parallel printer port (15-pin), EIA RS422 keyboard connector (6-PIN DIN), video connector (RCA phono jack), audio connector (RCA phono jack), cable IN ad OUT connectors (type F), data transmission rate - 6.312 Mbits. The NABU PC systems software: NABU BDOS - NABU Basic Downloadable Operating System, NABU Network Corp., 1982-1986 XIOS1 - Extended Internal Operating Software, module 1, NABU Network Corp., 1982-1986 XIOS2 - Extended Internal Operating Software, module 2, NABU Network Corp., 1982-1986 Disk Utilities for NABU floppy disk drive, Digital Research, 1983 and NABU Network Corp., 1983 RAM test utility program, NABU Network Corp., 198? NABU Network applications and information programs in the museum's collection title category creator ALPHABLAST II game NABU Network Corp., 1982 ALPHA LAB LOGO educational program unknown ANGLE TANGLE LOGO educational program unknown ANTARCTIC VENTURE game Konami, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 ANTONYM ANTICS educational game NABU Network Corp., 1984 AQUATTACK game Interphase Technologies Inc., 1984 ATMOSPHERE educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 ATOMS educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 BACKGAMMON game NABU Network Corp., 1982 BIORHYTHMS game NABU Network Corp., 1982 BEEVADERS LOGO game unknown B.C. MATCH UP game NABU Network Corp., 1982 B.C. TRIVIA game NABU Network Corp., 1982 CAPACITORS educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 CFONT office program SoftCraft, 1982 CHECKERS game NABU Network Corp., 1984 CHINESE HOROSCOPES game NABU Network Corp., 1982 CIRCUS CHARLIE game NABU Network Corp., 1984 CIRCUIT educational program NABU Network Corp., 1982 COMPUTER GLOSSARY information program NABU Network Corp., 1983 CORRECT-IT educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 CYCLONS game Syntax Software Inc., 1983 DARTS AND BALLOONS LOGO educational game unknown DECIMALS educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 DEFINITION educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 DEPOT game NABU Network Corp., 1983 EFONT Edit office program SoftCraft, 1982 EMBASSY CAPER game NABU Network Corp., 1984 FANCY FONT TUTOR information program NABU Network Corp., 1984 FLIP AND FLOP game First Star Software, 1983; NABU Network Corp., 1984 FRACTIONS educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 FRENCH VERBS I eduactional program Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 FROGGEE game Commercial Data Systems Ltd., 1982 GRAMMAR educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 HEAVYWAIGHT BOXING game Takara/Hal, 1983 HERBS & SPICE 1 information program 605477 Ontario Inc., 1985 HERBS & SPICE 2 information program 605477 Ontario Inc., 1985 HYPER SPORTS game Konami, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 INTERVALS educational program Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 KEYBOARD educational program Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 KIDDY PARK game NABU Network Corp., 1984 KNOW-IT-ALL information program NABU Network Corp., 1984 LASER ATTACK game NABU Network Corp., 1983 LEARNING LETTERS educational program Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 LEARNING NUMBERS educational program Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 LOGO ACTIVITY HELP information program NABU Network Corp., 1983 LOGO PREVIEW information program NABU Network Corp., 1984 LOGO REFERENCE information program NABU Network Corp., 1984 MACBETH game NABU Network Corp., 1983 MAKE UP educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 MANIA game NABU Network Corp, 1983 MATH ATTACK LOGO educational game unknown MATH PUZZLE game NABU Network Corp., 1984 MATH QUIZ educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 MAZE CRAZE LOGO game unknown METRIC CONVERTER educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 METRO BLITZ game Cymbal Software Inc, 1983 MINERAL HUNT LOGO educational game unknown MINER 2049ER game NABU Network Corp., 1984 MIX-IT educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 MOONSWEEPER game NABU Network Corp., 1984 MORTGAGE CALC home management NABU Manufacturing Corp., 1982 MOTION AND FORCE educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984) MOTORCYCLE educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 MR. CHIN game Hal, 1984 MUMMY'S TOMB game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 MURDER MANSION game NABU Network Corp., 1984 NABU BASIC V2.0 programming language unknown NABU BASIC TUTOR information program NABU Network Corp., 1984; code follows directory NABU CALC spreadsheet NABU Network Corp., 1984 NABU CALC TUTOR information program NABU Network Corp., 1984 NABU FILER database program NABU Network Corp., 1984 NABU FILER TUTOR information program NABU Network Corp., 1984 NABU LOGO, rev. 01 programming language LOGO Computer Systems Inc., 1983 NABU SPELLER office program NABU Network Corp., 1984 NABU SPELLER TUTOR information program NABU 1984 NABU WRITER office program NABU Network Corp., 198 NABU WRITER TUTOR information program NABU Network Corp., 198 NEOCLYPS game Cymbal Software Inc, 1983 NIMBLE LOGO game unknown NOTES AND STAFF educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 NOUNS educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 O CANADA LOGO educational game unknown PAINTPOT educational program unknown PARLOR POWER game NABU Network Corp., 1984 PERCENTAGES educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 PINBALL game John Allen, 1981 PING game NABU Manufacturing Corp., 1983 PLANETS educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 PRINTER TUTORIAL information program NABU Network Corp., 1984 PROVINCES LOGO educational game unknown QA DIG DUG game Namco Ltd., NABU Network Corp., 1984 QA GALAXIAN game Namco Ltd., NABU Network Corp., 1983 QA PAC-MAN game NABU Network Corp., 1983, 1984 QUEST FOR TIRES game Sierra On-Line Inc., Sydney Development Corp., 1983 Q*BERT game NABU Network Corp., 1984 RENEGADE educational game NABU Network Corp., 1983 RESISTORS educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 ROULETTE game NABU Network Corp., 1983 RUNES game NABU Network Corp., 1984 SARGON II CHESS game Dan and Kathleen, Hayden Book Comp. Inc., 1981 SCHMOZZLE game NABU Network Corp., 1984 SHAPES educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 SHAKESPEARE educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 SKETCH art program unknown SKI SARAJEVO game NABU Network Corp., 1984 SKI WHISTLER game SLEUTH game NABU Network Corp., 1984 SPORTS STUMPER game NABU Network Corp., 1984 STEP UP game NABU Network Corp., 1984 SUPER BILLIARDS game Bubble Bus Software, NABU Network Corp., 1984 SUPER BLOOPER educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 THE INFORMER information program NABU Network Corp., 1986 TIME PILOT game NABU Network Corp., 1984 TONES & SEMITONES educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 TOURNAMENT POKER game NABU Network Corp., 1984 TRACK & FIELD 1 game NABU Network Corp., 1984 TRACK & FIELD 2 game NABU Network Corp., 1984 TV IQ game NABU Network Corp., 1984 UFO'S game NABU Manufacturing Corp., 1982 WHIZ MIND LOGO game unknown WINE WATCH information program Wine Consultants of Canada, 1984 WING WAR game NABU Network Corp., 1984 WIZTYPE educational game NABU Network Corp., 1982 WIZTYPE TUTOR office program NABU Network Corp., 1982 WORD MASTERMIND educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 WORD ROTATE educational game Cymbal Software Inc, 1984, NABU Network Corp., 1984 ZIPPER game NABU Network Corp., 1983 ZORK I game NABU Network Corp., 1984 ZOT! game NABU Network Corp., 1984 The museum has several NABU PC and Adaptor units including the NABU PC 4K and 8K ROM models.
NABU Network Manufacturing Corp., NABU Network Corp.
1983-1986, Ottawa (Canada), Alexandria (US), and Sowa (Japan)
Historical Context NABU Manufacturing (incorporated in June 1981 in Ottawa) was created through the amalgamation of three companies: Bruce Instruments Ltd. (manufacturer of cable TV converters based in Almonte), MFC Microsystems International Inc. (a distributor of computer hardware and software for small business systems), and Computer Innovations Ltd. (which operated computer retail stores across Canada). Soon after, the company acquired Andicom Technical Products Ltd. (a manufacturer of small business computers based in Toronto), Consolidated Computer Inc. (a manufacturer and distributor of key-edit systems), Mobius Software Ltd. (an Ottawa-based software consulting company), and Volker-Craig (a Kitchener-based manufacturer of video-display terminals). NABU's business plan was to capture a sizable share of the microcomputer market by offering the world's first cable-ready computers and by implementing a novel system for electronic delivery of software and information to home computer users -- the NABU Network. The company announced its network during the 1982 National Cable & Telecommunications Association conference in Las Vegas. In May 1983, the company transmitted its programming via satellite from Ottawa to terminals installed at the 26th Annual Convention of the Canadian Cable Television Association in Calgary. The NABU Network was officially launched on 15 October 1983 on Ottawa Cablevision, an 85,000-subscriber company where much of NABU's testing was performed. Soon thereafter, the network made its US debut in Alexandria, Virginia, on Tribune Cable, a 5,000 subscriber service. The launch marked the creation of the first commercial computer network to provide high-speed access to information, software, and digital entertainment directly to homes of personal computer users. While NABU's focus was on cable TV-based delivery of software and data, the company also designed and sold desktop and workstation computers. One of such computers was the NABU 1600 designed by NABU's Andicom brunch. It was a 16-bit multi-user, multi-tasking desktop business computer supporting up to three user terminals. It was released by NABU Manufacturing in 1982. The system consisted of the CPU unit, the mass storage unit, and up to four terminals (e.g. the NABU 4404 terminals). The NABU 1600 technical specifications: CPU: Intel 8086 at 4.916 MHz, floating-point co-processor: Intel 8087, RAM: 256 Kbytes expandable to 512 Kbytes, ROM: 8 Kbytes, mass storage unit: two diskette or hard drives in a separate unit, hard drive: Seagate ST412, 10 Mbytes (formatted) with Western Digital WD 1001 disk controller, diskette drive: Tandon TM 100-4, diskettes: 5.25 inch, double-sided, double-density, 800 Kbytes, communications: synchronous, aynchronous, 4 RS 323C ports. Software: operating systems: MS-DOS, Xenix, and CP/M-86, programming languages: C, FORTRAN, BASIC, Pasal, COBOL, applications: DOC text editor, Q-Mail (mail software), Q-Spell (spell checker), electronic spreadsheet, accounting, database management.
NABU Manufacturing Corp., NABU Network Corp.
Historical context (by Z. Stachniak) 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. 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 Waterloo Micro Computer Systems for the 1980s [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. In the opinion of Wesley Graham, director, Computer Systems Group at UW expressed in [2], "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. 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." 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. The SuperPET's design was brought to the production stage by BMB CompuScience of Milton, Ontario. 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. Technical specifications CPU: MOS Technology 6502 and Motorola 6809 at 1MHz, RAM: 96KB (64KB on an bank switched RAM board), ROM: 48KB (containing Waterloo KERNAL and CBM Basic 4.0), video: MOS Technology 6545, 12" monochrome display, 25 rows of 80 characters, three character sets, keyboard: QWERTY-style, 62 keys, and 11-key numeric keypad, ports: IEEE-488 port, two Commodore Datasette ports, Expansion port, RS232 port, CBM parallel programmable User port Memory and Processor selection switches, options: OSW-9 MMU (Memory Management Unit) board allowing the use of popular OS-9 Operating System, other features: memory and processor selection switches. Key software Waterloo KERNAL (in ROM), CBM Basic 4.0 (in ROM), microBASIC, microPascal, microFORTRAN, microCOBOL and microAPL from University of Waterloo Computer Systems Ltd., microEditor from University of Waterloo Computer Systems Ltd., 6809 microprocessor assembler from University of Waterloo Computer Systems Ltd., OS-9 Operating System from Microware Systems Corp. (using the MMU board). Museum holdings Commodore SuperPET Model 9000, serial nr. SP0002320, Commodore CBM 8050 Dual Drive Floppy Disk, Commodore Super-Pet SP9000 Technical Manual, Commodore Computer, 198? Waterloo 6809 Assembler, Waterloo microSystems SuperPET Specifics, draft copy, J.B. Schueler and B.J. Stecher, Waterloo microPIP File Utility Program for the Commodore SuperPET, J.C. Wilson and T.A. Wilkinson, Commodore SuperPET computer: Waterloo microAPL, Tutorial and Reference Manual, Waterloo Computing Systems Ltd., 1981, P.H. Dirksen and J.W. Welch, Commodore SuperPET computer: Waterloo microAPL, Tutorial and Reference Manual, Waterloo Computing Systems Ltd., 1981, J.W. Graham and K.I. McPhee, Commodore SuperPET computer: Waterloo microBASIC, Tutorial and Reference Manual, Waterloo Computing Systems Ltd., 1981, D.D. Cowan, J.W. Graham, J.W. Welch, and T.A. Wilkinson, Waterloo BASIC for Commodore Microcomputers, Waterloo Computing Systems Ltd., 1981, D.D. Cowan, J.W. Graham, J.W. Welch, and T.A. Wilkinson, Waterloo BASIC for Commodore PET, Waterloo Computing Systems Ltd., 1981, P.H. Dirksen and J.W. Welch, Commodore SuperPET computer: Waterloo microCOBOL, Tutorial and Reference Manual, Waterloo Computing Systems Ltd., 1981, F.D. Boswell, T.R. Grove, and J.W. Welch, Commodore SuperPET computer: Waterloo microPascal, Tutorial and Reference Manual, Waterloo Computing Systems Ltd., 1981, P.H. Dirksen and J.W. Welch, Commodore SuperPET computer: Waterloo microFORTRAN, Tutorial and Reference Manual, Waterloo Computing Systems Ltd., 1981, D.D. Cowan and M.J. Shaw, Commodore SuperPET computer: Waterloo 6809 Assembler, Tutorial and Reference Manual, Waterloo Computing Systems Ltd., 1981, F.D. Boswell, T.R. Grove, K.I. McPhee, J.B. Schueler, and J.W. Welch, Commodore SuperPET computer: System Overview, Tutorial and Reference Manual, Waterloo Computing Systems Ltd., 1981, Disk System User Reference Guide, Commodore Electronics Ltd., 1982, User's Manual for CBM 5 1/4-inch Dual Floppy Disk Drives, Commodore Business Machines, 1983, M.P. McFarlane and D.R. McNeil, An Explanatory Data Analysis Package for the Commodore SuperPET, SPUG/APL, May 1983, D. Barnes, The SuperPET STARTER-PAK, 198? SuperPET Bulletin Board System, printout, Paul Matzke Sysop, Several documents distributed by the International SuperPET Users Group, 1984--85, M. Avygdor, MMU Version 2.0 Installation Procedure for 2 Boards SuperPETs, York University/Toronto PET Users Group 1985(?) References [1] D.D. Cowan and J.W. Graham, Waterloo Microcomputer Systems for the 1980's, Proceedings of the ACM '82, pp. 13–17 (1982). [2] Introducing the Remarkable Commodore SuperPET. The First Microcomputer with 5 High-Level Languages for only $2795, Commodore SuperPET promotional brochure, 198?
Designed by Computer Systems Group at the University of Waterloo, and BMB CompuScience, manufactured by Commodore
The NDS-1000 (also know as the Pancake) was a microprocessor-based word processor and communication system designed and manufactured by Network Data Systems between 1978 and 1985. The NDS-1000 consisted of a CPU unit (built around the Zilog Z80 microprocessor), Olivetti electric typewriter (Olivetti)), monitor, and diskette drives (5.25 inch). The museum has an NDS-1000, model 1000, serial number 00202-01.
Historical Context 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. 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. 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. 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 Canadian Computer Show in Toronto and the fall COMDEX in Las Vegas. 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. 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: Calgary Hyperion User Group (CHUG), Calgary, AB Hyperion User Group of BC, Richmond, BC Hyperion Users Group of Saskatoon, Saskatoon, SK Hyperion Users Group of Laurentian Uuniversity, Sudbury, ON Hyperion Users Group of Montreal, Montreal, QC Hyperion Users Group of Ottawa (HUGO), Nepean, ON Toronto Hyperion Users Group, Toronto, ON Welland Hyperion User's Group, Welland, ON. Hardware: CPU - Intel 8088, Math co-processor - Intel 8087 (optional), RAM - 256 Kbytes (expandable to 640 Kbytes) , ROM - 8 Kbytes, VRAM - 16 Kbytes, diskette drives: double sided double density, 360 Kbytes 5.25", display: 7-inch, amber, with built-in screen blanker; display resolutions: 320x200, 320x250, 640x200, and 640x250, keyboard: QWERT, detachable, internal 300-baud modem opertaed under IN:TOUCH communication software (optional), hardware expandable using the Hyperion EX Expansion Unit. Software/Guides: DOS 1/25, EDLIN, Dynalogic Info-Tech Corp. and Microsoft Corp., 1982, 1983, Hyperion DOS 2.11, ver. 00, rev. 00, Compterm Inc., 1 July 1984 IN:SCRIBE, Dynalogic Info-Tech Corp., 1982, IN:TOUCH communication software, Bytec-Comterm Inc., 1982, LOTUS 123, Dynalogic Info-Tech Corp. and Lotus Development Corp., 1983, LOTUS 123, System Backup for the Hyperion, Dynalogic Info-Tech Corp. and Lotus Development Corp., 1983, LOTUS 123, utility software for the Hyperion, Dynalogic Info-Tech Corp. and Lotus Development Corp., 1983, LOTUS 123 PrintGraph for the Hyperion, Dynalogic Info-Tech Corp. and Lotus Development Corp., 1983, BASICA Assembler, Dynalogic Info-Tech Corp. and Microsoft Corp., 1982, 1983, Aladin, Bytec Management Corp. and ADI America Inc., 1983.
Dynalogic Info-Tech, Bytec Management Corp.
Historical Context 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. 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 via the industry standard RS-232C interface. 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. 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 designed and implemented by Don 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. Between 1976 and 1980, several models of the DMS-8 small business systems were offered including the 7032A, 7042A, 7042B, 7042C, and LSM (the Dynalogic Laboratory Microcomputer System) as well as the DynaScript word processing system. The computers could operate with a range of terminals and printers sold separately. In addition, the company introduced several floppy diskette subsystems such as the DynaSTOR and DynaTermDisk models 7001A, 7002A, 7011A, 7012A, 77111 and 7112. In 1981, Bytec Management Corp. took over Dynalogic and renamed it Dynalogic Info-Tech. At the 1982 spring Comdex computer show in Atlantic City the company unveiled its IBM PC-compatible Hyperion as the ``most powerful, portable, business computer in the world''. Dynalogic DMS 7042B technical specifications The DMS 7042B in YUCoM's Dynalogic collection was manufactured in 1980. It includes 5 PCB boards designed between 1977 and 1980 and assembled between 1979 and 1980. The boards are: MPU board - the microprocessor unit with a Motorola 6800 microprocessor and DMS-8 firmware (3.1K9) stored in three EPROMs (dated 1976) , 32K RAM board (c 1977), assembled in 1979, 16K RAM board (c 1977), assembled in 1979, Disk controller board (c 1979) with a Motorola 6800 microprocessor and DMS-8 firmware (FDC 02) stored in two EPROMs (dated 1976), Disk Data board (c 1980). Dynalogic DMS software at York University Computer Museum DYNAMO 2.0/DO/32K, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 21 November 1977 DYNAMO 2.0/D1/24K, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 21 November 1977 DynaBASIC 2.0/AO, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 21 November 1977 Dynalogic Advanced Programming Package, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 1977 Forms Entry, Source, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 25 January, 1978 Dynalogic Advanced Programming Package 2.0, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 1 May 1978 DYNAMO 2.3, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 1 July 1978 DynaBASIC I 2.1/E4, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 1 March 1979 DynaBASIC I 2.1/E5, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 1 March 1979 Structured DynaBASIC I Preprocessor 1.0, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 31 May 1979 DYNAMO 2.4, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 31 March 1979 DYNAMO 3.1, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 1 October 1979 DMS Utility Programs, 1979 DYNAMO 3.1, Diagnostic Programs, Dynalogic Corporation Ltd., 1 July 1980 Source codes of various Dynalogic software including DYNAMO operating system The museum has the following Dynalogic DMS-related hardware: Dynalogic Microcomputer System, model 7042B (1980), Dynalogic Microcomputer System, model 7042C, Dynalogic Microcomputer System, model 7082, Dynalogic Dual Drive Unit, model 4002B (1977).
Historical context (by Z. Stachniak) 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 the first microprocessor-based computer designed specifically for personal use — the MCM/70, the first PC. Before MCM officially announced its PC in September 1973, the company produced and demonstrated several prototypes. In the summer of 1973, MCM assembled in record short time a unique prototype of the MCM/70 for demonstration at the APL Congress that was to take place in August at the Technical University of Denmark in Lyngby, north of Copenhagen, Denmark. MCM decided to pack the current MCM/70 prototype's hardware, including a keyboard, a one-line plasma display (Burroughs SelfScan), and a single cassette drive, into an attache case and to operate all of it on batteries exclusively. The company expected considerable marketing gains from the planned ground-breaking presentation of a never-seen-before luggable, battery operated, general-purpose computer which they named the Executive. The gamble payed off. On August 23, the day after the Executive's demonstration, the Danish daily Politiken published a front-page article about a sensational computer from Canada. The article included two photographs depicting MCM employee Ted Edwards operating the Executive on the doorstep of the auditorium where the conference took place. For a brief time, MCM contemplated manufacturing the Executive and made announcements to that effect in the press. In October 1973, the computer was shown during the National Computer Show and Conference in Toronto but, in the end, the company quietly abandoned the Executive concept due to technical and financial difficulties. The official announcement of the MCM/70 came on September 25, 1973, in Toronto. Its manufacturing commenced in mid 1974. The photographs below depict the Executive at the time of its arrival at York University Computer Museum and of Ted Edwards demonstrating the Executive during the APL Congress in Copenhagen — one of the photographs published by Politiken on August 23, 1973. Recommended readings: Stachniak, Z. Inventing the PC: the MCM/70 Story , McGill-Queen's University Press (2011). Stachniak, Z. Learning from Prototypes, IEEE Annals of the History of Computing, vol. 42, no. 2 (2020), pp. 63-71.
digital image, format jpeg, 732x431 pixels
Historical context (by Z. Stachniak) In 1967, Stephen Dorsey founded Automatic Electronic Systems (AES) in Montreal to develop electronic devices for industrial remote-control applications. Over the six years, AES developed, among other products, its own minicomputers (the AES-80 and AES-80C) and the world’s first all-in-one programmable word processor — the AES-90. Until the mid-1980s, digital word processors remained the company's main line of business, sold around the world. In the 1960s, office document-writing equipment was still dominated by various types of typewriters, ranging from purely mechanical to electric models, including those with digital storage for recording typed text, such as the best-selling IBM MT/ST (Magnetic Tape/Selectric Typewriter), which recorded edited documents on magnetic tape. These devices lacked displays and offered only limited word-processing functionality. None of them could be upgraded to newer versions; they could only be replaced with more advanced models as they became available. It all changed in the early 1970s, when several companies introduced dedicated text-editing equipment with displays for on-screen document editing and external storage. In 1972, Linolex Systems introduced its Model A while Lexitron offered the Videotype 911. In the following year, AES released its AES-90 Word Processor, and Vydec began selling its Vydec Text Processor. Although all these systems provided on-screen editing and external storage, several unique features of the AES-90 set new trends in the design of cost-effective text editing equipment. The most important of these was the AES-90 architecture and its software upgradability. The AES-90 was a standalone system that featured a CRT display, a keyboard, and two 8-inch floppy disk drives connected to a central processor. However, unlike the “hard-wired” solutions used in other early on-screen text-editing systems, the AES-90 processor was built around a general-purpose minicomputer (the AES-90C) running dedicated text-editing software. This design allowed for software updates, bug fixes, and adaptation to changing requirements without the need to purchase a new processor and discard the outdated one. For this reason, the ACS-90 was promoted as a programmable word processor and “a giant step into a new era of cost-effective written communication.” Within a few years, the office equipment market was flooded with similar video-screen text-editing products from companies worldwide—the Toshiba JW-10 Japanese Language Word Processor, announced in 1978, is one notable example—revolutionizing office operations. Although orders for AES-90 processors were piling up, AES faced significant difficulties with cash flow and attracting investor interest. Ultimately, the company came under the control of Innocan Investments Ltd., a Canadian financial organization specializing in venture capital for new and expanding firms, particularly those in high-technology industries. The Canadian Development Corporation owned 40% of Innocan, while other shareholders included the Air Canada Pension Fund, the Bank of Nova Scotia, and several well-established investment groups. Difficult relationship with AES financial backers led Dorsey to leave the company in 1975. Soon after leaving AES, Dorsey founded Micom Data Systems in Montreal. The company went on to manufacture a successful line of digital word processors, beginning with the introduction of the Micom 2000 in 1976. In 1978, Philips Information Systems of Toronto, a subsidiary of the Dutch office automation giant Philips NV, acquired 80% of Micom’s ownership. As part of the Philips corporate group, Micom gained access to Philips' extensive global marketing and distribution network. By the end of the 1970s, Micom had become a market leader, ranking first in sales in Canada and second in Europe. Its equipment was installed in numerous major organizations, from Air Canada and Washington Gas to NASA (with over 50 MICOM 2000 systems deployed). Micom's workforce grew rapidly, expanding from just five employees in 1976 to more than 1,100 by 1980. In 1984, the company relocated to a new facility in Saint-Laurent, Quebec, and began manufacturing the Micom line of Philips PCs in addition to its word-processing hardware. That year, Philips Information Systems recorded sales of $62 million, up from $38 million in 1983. Of that $62 million, approximately $42 million came from the sales of Micom word processors. Although Micom was more successful than AES Data in the 1980s, its word processing business was phased out by the end of the decade due to the global transition in the office-equipment industry toward microcomputer-based multifunctional solutions. Micom 2000 The Micom 2000 was introduced in 1976. It featured a main processor unit with a built-in display, a detachable keyboard, and an external 8-inch floppy drive. Although its design employed a microprocessor—the Intel 8080A—and the system offered networking and electronic mail capabilities, it was not a general-purpose computer, as it could not store or execute application programs. The Micom 2000 was followed by models 2001, 2002, 3000, 3000 MINI EDIT, MINI-EDIT, and SATELLITE. Word processing features wordwrap, justification, adjustment, aligment, boilerplate, copying and cuting, deletion, footnoting, format letter merging, headers and footers, indents, centering, insertion, overstrike, page numbering, pagination, search and replace, spell checking and correction, table of contents and index generation. Technical specifications CPU: Intel 8080A, RAM: 64Kb, ROM: ? display: built-in CRT, 15", monochrome, keyboard: 51-key QWERTY-style, 19-key numeric and edit function keypad, extrenal storage: an 8 inch floppy disk drive. Museum holdings Micom 2000, model number C-2000, serial number 01510 with a keyboard and a diskette drive (serial number 203972), Assynchronous Communication, System Reference Manual, Micom, 1979 [the use of Micom as a remote computer terminal] Micom Software Manual, rev. 4.2, Micom Data Systems Ltd, 1977, Micom 2001, Reference Manual, Micom Data Systems Ltd, 1980, Micom/Philips promo literature, Program Diskette, ver. 4.2, Jan. 31, 1978, Program Diskette, ver. 4.2, March 6, 1978, Program Diskette, ver. 4.2, Sep. 18, 1979.