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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!tektronix!tekecs!shark!sdb
From: sdb@shark.UUCP (Steven Den Beste)
Newsgroups: net.micro
Subject: Much information about ADAM
Message-ID: <15@shark.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 7-Oct-83 14:27:32 EDT
Article-I.D.: shark.15
Posted: Fri Oct  7 14:27:32 1983
Date-Received: Sun, 9-Oct-83 20:15:01 EDT
Organization: Tektronix, Wilsonville OR
Lines: 71

I received a catalog in the mail from someone called "MARKLINE", which
seems to be a mail-order company dealing in high-tek toys for adults
(things like pocket TV's). They have a two-page spread on the Coleco
ADAM system. It can either be bought stand-alone, or as an add-on option
to a Coleco-vision. Cost from these guys is $675 for the former, $535 for the latter.

There is extensive description of what you get, and photo's as well.

The keyboard has cursor movement keys, a bank of six special-purpose
keys, and six function keys. The "memory console" (CPU to you peasants)
has 80K RAM (expandable to 144K with a memory option - price not given),
and a 500K "digital data pack drive".
About that, they say: "Operates at extremely high speed as a result of
exclusive fast transfer circuitry (that is comparable to the speed
of a 5 1/4" disk drive). ADAM is designed to be CP/M compatible, and
the most popular CP/M programs will be made available on digital data
packs." I think they are using something called a "stringy floppy", which
is a closed-loop tape system. If so, their claim to being "as fast as
floppy" is probably sufficiently true to satisfy the FTC - transfer
rates are probably comparable. (Now SEEK TIME is another question!).

"The Smart Writer Printer" - a bi-directional 10 CPS daisy printer,
handling paper up to 9.5 inches, including fan-fold. Initially it uses
pinch-rollers - "Optional tractor-feed mechanism will be available
soon."

Standard software: "ADAM comes with three pieces of Smart Software:
The Smart Writer Word Processor program that's built in, A Smart Basic
digital data pack, which is source code compatible with Applesoft Basic,
and a super game pack, Buck Rogers Planet of Zoom..."



Elsewhere in the ad it says: "In fact, ADAM incorporates four computers
working in harmony with one another. Each component is microprocessor
driven. As a result, while one component is working on one task,ADAM's
other components are automatically taking care of others."

All of a sudden that 80K of RAM shrinks a lot, doesn't it? I conjecture
that the four processors are: display controller, CPU, disk manager,
printer manager. Each of them has RAM - though how that is split up
is conjecture. The memory further shrinks in BASIC, because BASIC
lives in RAM, not ROM.

One last quote:

"Coleco plans for the future! Just as with the ColecoVision, ADAM was
built with the future in mind. Not a system
hat will be obsolete in a year, but rather
a system that can be expanded on as new technology, new horizons are
achieved. Just look at this list of items that will be available late
1983, early 1984 [i.e. Christmas 1984 - sdb] for your system! A smart
telephone Modem, a CP/M-compatible disk drive, a 64K expansion module,
and an electronic sketch pad." It then goes on to list future software.

These guys will take your order by phone, in case anyone out there
wants to take the chance: The orer number is:

1-800-225-8493/8490

COL2404 Expansion module (for those already owning a Coleco-vision) $535

COL2410 ADAM computer system (dosn't require Coleco-vision) $675

They accept American Express, Diner's club, Visa, Carte Blanche, and
MasterCard.

Let me know how it is if you get one!

   Steve Den Beste