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From: cooper@vlab.enet.dec.com (g.d.cooper in the shadowlands)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.forth
Subject: Re: FORTH, the language
Message-ID: <385@ryn.esg.dec.com>
Date: 31 Jul 89 23:40:50 GMT
Sender: guest@ryn.esg.dec.com
Organization: DEC Advanced CI Development, Marlboro MA
Lines: 31

In article <8907271826.AA19514@jade.berkeley.edu>, ZMLEB@SCFVM.BITNET (Lee Brotzman) writes...
	       [Text about 7 key input device deleted]
>   Perhaps typing in ASCII codes from memory is slower and more confusing
>for the general computing populace, but you must remember that Chuck comes
>from the time when computer programmers debugged programs by reading core
>dumps and disassembling the hex codes in their heads.  I seriously doubt
>that working a 7-switch keyboard was much of a stretch for him.

I come from a time when debugging was done from core dumps, hell I
used to debug by reading memory through the front panel, and I find
the idea of typing in data via direct input of ASCII codes ridiculous.

Memorizing the ASCII code tables and being able to decode machine
instructions does *NOT* mean that I or any one that I know would want
to have to go back to binary input, actually we generally used octal
or hex (DEC vs. IBM).

Chord keyboards are one thing but this is ridiculous.  We have tools
to make the job of programming easier.  This is a step backwards past
the dark ages.

	       With somewhat fond memories of a KENBAC,

				shades
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Note: I'm a consultant.  My opinions are *MY* opinions.