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From: rb@ccivax.UUCP (rex ballard)
Newsgroups: net.micro
Subject: Re: what's needed for a home pc
Message-ID: <278@ccivax.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 23-Sep-85 21:37:27 EDT
Article-I.D.: ccivax.278
Posted: Mon Sep 23 21:37:27 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 27-Sep-85 07:24:27 EDT
References: <944@qumix.UUCP> <86@intelca.UUCP> <2190@ukma.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: CCI Telephony Systems Group,  Rochester NY
Lines: 74

> In article <86@intelca.UUCP> cem@intelca.UUCP (Chuck McManis) writes:
> >> Has anyone done market research on what's needed for a HOME pc?
> >> I don't see the need for a disk drive or tape storeage but would 
> >> use eeprom for storeage. 
> >
> >You would be 
> >better off using Epson's technique of battery backed up RAM for mass
> >storage.
> 
> Intel makes bubble memory.
> Intel even has a bubble memory cassette system, which is removable.

Any of the alternatives above would be acceptable except for the cost.
The most important factor in a home (or truly personal) computer is
expense.  EEPROMS have limited write ability, usefull for storing "boot
parameters", but not word processing.  Battery backed RAM, would be suitable
for small quantities, but "switching cartriges", is very risky business.
Bubble memory is very expensive, mainly intended for "abusive" situations
like factories, vehicles...

Several good things have been done with tape, but the access time tends
to be a little slow. Caching, ram-disks, and very high-speed transports
could make tape useful as a mass storage media, but defeat the original
goal of providing the user a familiar, low cost interface.

The first question to answer is, "what does a HOME computer need to do?",
if it is only a game machine, cartridges are ok.  If it is an educational
resource, CD-ROM provides a very good answer (Prices would have to be about
the same as the computer).  If you are using it to enhance other hobbies,
such as drafting a model airplane or creating a knitting pattern, then
some sort of removable media is indicated.  A HOME computer is really a
misnomer. Unfortunately, most people equate a PERSONAL computer with a
"business desk-top" purchased buy large corporations who can afford
these "executive machines".  A personal computer should be one you can
afford to buy for yourself!!  The company may put one on your desk, but
you should be able to afford your own if you want it.  In fact, many
businesses need an affordable business computer to replace obsolete
"Text-only" terminals connected to large mainframes.  Unfortunately,
replacing 1000 'tubes' with $2000-$5000 "IBM compatibles" (which aren't),
can be too much of an investment (Not to mention the VAX owners who don't
trust IBM's methods).

3 1/2 inch floppies provide a convenient way to carry several megabytes
in a coat pocket or purse (just blow off the lint, and plug them in).
If a "standard interface", such as SCSI could be adopted by all
drive makers, users could choose models with price/performance
that best meets their needs.  If a "microfloppies" were available for
between $50 and $250 with varying response times, storage capacities...
for any computer from a C64 to a VAX 11/780, using the same interface,
(the way a cassette drive is available for any reciever via "phono plugs"),

Microfloppies have parallels in the Audio industry.  Records give very good
response for a few plays, but wear down.  Reel-Reel tape gives good sound,
but are inconvenient to handle.  Cassetes provide a media that is convenient!
It is the convenience that becomes a major factor (sound is not as good, but
you can play it in your car, home stereo, or "walk-player".  You can get
better sound from a "dolby/DBX/equalized/3-head/microferrite-head..." player,
but you can also play it on a <$20 player.

Sony offers drives that go twice as fast as "normal" drives (600rpm vs 300rpm),
and a "speed independent interface" would allow you to take advantage of this.
You could even use "threaded shaft" head positioning for a very low cost drive.
Using a ram-disk, or read-ahead caching, or other "optimisers" would allow you
do reduce wait times a little.

Of course, with a "device independent" interface (GPIB,SCSI,????), you could
also use hard drives, streamer tape, CD-ROM, WORM, various laser, and even
a VCR as storage media.


These Opinions have nothing to do with CCI, it's employees, or it's Management.
They were mine, but I share them in hope they will benefit others.

(The world looks different when your upside-down)


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