Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!ginosko!rex!ames!ncar!asuvax!hrc!xroads!wiz
From: wiz@xroads.UUCP (Mike Carter)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Looking for good design on small computer
Keywords: How about a ruggedized Hard-drive?
Message-ID: <771@xroads.UUCP>
Date: 22 Jul 89 09:55:24 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Crossroads, Phoenix, Az
Lines: 42


 
After receiving much mail and responses I've come to the undenyable
conclusion that all of these projects would best be integrated into
some DAC's and fed into a computer. WIth all of the measurement and
conversions required by the sensors, it'd be easier interpreting the
data via a real-time program . 
Now comes the choice. A small enough box (max dimensions are
2' x 2' x 4" to house the motherboar) is one limitation. The next is
finding a monitor or small B&W or color monitor (perhaps a mini T.V.
but I suspect most of them are not built well enough to withsatnd
a month or two on Phoenix roads).
 
What I'm hoping is that someone has information on a "computer" that
is in production that would fit this description. I've considered
building my own out of a Z8 or that one uP Intel makes with
tiny basic on board. Considering the options, a device driver
for a monitor and the bios needed to faciliate all this would almost
make the project moot due to the benefits/time req'd .
The ubiquituous (sp) Commodore computers come to mind and I was very
fluent in the Vic-20 and C-64 machine language ..although very
limited these would suffice. However, the commodes don't use standard
I/O for devices like disks etc. 
 
SO it boils down to this list;
 
(1) FIt in the 2' x 2' x 4"  size limitation
(2) Be able to readily drive a composite video monitor
(3) Accept standard type I/O (e.g SCSI)
(4) Cost less than $500.00
 
ALso...how about a 5-10 meg H.D. that's cabale of withstanding lots of
bumps and the motion of a vehicle in traffic ?
(am I dreaming or is this wishfull thinking?_
 
	

-- 
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= Mike Carter  N7GYX, Phoenix AZ| Q: Why did the Chicken cross the road  ?  =
= hplabs!hp-sdd!crash!xroads!wiz| A: To ESCape the Main Menu .              =
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