Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!PENNDRLS.UPENN.EDU!GTHEALL From: GTHEALL@PENNDRLS.UPENN.EDU (George A. Theall) Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec.micro Subject: Rainbow EchoMail Digest Message-ID: <8912021454.AA10687@remote.dccs.upenn.edu> Date: 2 Dec 89 14:54:00 GMT Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU Organization: The Internet Lines: 85 Rainbow EchoMail Digest Dec 2, 1989 In this issue: Articles posted to either INFO-DEC-MICRO or comp.sys.dec.micro are currently gatewayed automatically to the Rainbow Echo on Fidonet; thus, you do not need to take any special action to respond to articles in these digests. Please send reports of problems or suggestions for improvement of this digest to GTHEALL@PENNDRLS.UPENN.EDU (ARPA Internet). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: 12-01-89 (21:09) To: RODGER LEA Subject: From: GEORGE THEALL >- I've got a 100b with memory upgrade (and that's about all > I know !) - no hard disk. If I was interested in putting > a hard disk in it - what are my options ? > >(please note that I'm based in France, so names of good >disk suppliers on the west coast etc, won't work :-) *If* you can get a hard disk controller for your machine, Rodger, you can install in your system almost any hard disk that uses MFM or RLL encoding. The Seagate ST225 20MB drive, for example, that's sold for PC compatible systems will work fine. So too will the ST241 38MB drive. The June 1988 issue of _Rainbow News_ had an excellent article about this. I would highly recommend you read it if you're thinking of "doing it yourself". For the controller, you might give Eustace Enterprises a call (1-407-433-0846 in the U.S.). As of September '89 they advertised a 20MB hard disk and controller card for $395. Suitable Solutions (1-408-727-9090 voice, 1-408-727-0823 FAX) are advertising a dual winchester controller card for $365, a 20MB disk + controller for $699, and a 40MB disk with controller for $899. I have no idea how Eustace Enterprises handles foreign orders; Suitable Solutions requires they be prepaid with a check in US $. Another possibility is to buy a used hard-disk equipped Rainbow. Prices here in the US are around $400+ for a 100B with hard disk. You'd not only get the controller card but also have spare parts around in case something in your current machine fails. Contacts across the puddle are difficult to come by. It might be worthwhile, though, for you to get in touch with Brian Pegg (26, avenue de la Resolution, Cite Marine de Port La Galere, 06590 Theoule-sur-Mer, FRANCE), Frans van der Voorde (VDVOORDE@HROEUR51 on BITNET; he's in Holland), or Dave Reid (628 82 30 18 at home in England). Perhaps one of them could point you to a supplier in Europe. Oh, about a year ago there appeared a list of Rainbow-oriented bbs's. There were two in Europe you might call - Mitternachs Rainbow in Munich (89 123 34 45) in the evenings (presumable, MZT) and Day Rainbow in Karlstad Sweden (46 54 266988) at 300 baud, CCITT. >Lastly, as a fairly long shot, anybody out there using SmallTalk (PC >versions) ... >Actor (under Windows) is also of interest. The June 1988 issue of _Rainbow News_ also contained a comprehensive list of programs known to run on Rainbows but not advertised as such. I didn't see anything about SmallTalk mentioned. I imagine Actor would run under Windows, but it might require the 286-board from Suitable Solutions. >Also I've heard vague rumours about object oriented extensions to >Pascal in the latest Turbo relase (v5.5?). Anybody got any experience >and care to comment on how 'object oriented' they are. Contact Jim O'Brien (OBRIEN@VENUS.YCC.YALE.EDU) as I know he's using TURBO Pascal v5.5 on his Rainbow. Also, the September '89 issue of _Computer Language_ reviewed the object-oriented extensions to both TURBO Pascal and Microsoft Quick Pascal - you might get yourself a copy of the article. George --- ~ EZ 1.23b4 #263 ~ TXIRRINGAK? Bai, eskerrik asko! ------------------------------