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Path: utzoo!mnetor!seismo!vrdxhq!bms-at!stuart
From: stuart@bms-at.UUCP (Stuart D. Gathman)
Newsgroups: comp.terminals
Subject: Re: Brain-damaged Terminal Contest
Message-ID: <308@bms-at.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 9-Dec-86 22:18:27 EST
Article-I.D.: bms-at.308
Posted: Tue Dec  9 22:18:27 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 10-Dec-86 10:57:16 EST
References: <3078@cbosgd.ATT.COM> <58000001@smu> <880@sfsup.UUCP> <429@viper.UUCP>
Organization: Business Management Systems, Inc., Fairfax, VA
Lines: 28
Summary: IBM 3101


Many of the so-called "brain-damaged" terminals were quite intelligent
for their time.  My vote for "worst for its time" is the IBM3101.

a)	Various keys don't work in various modes.  There is no mode
	in which all the keys can be used.

b)	The caps-lock "key" is a switch under the cover . . .

c)	When in caps-lock mode, you can't type "`" or "|" (you
	pry open the little cover . . .)

d)	Accidentally pressing one the keys arbitrarily defined as
	"invalid" for the particular mode you are in results in
	a LOCK error.  A special 2 key combination is required to
	reset it.

e)	In block mode, only a transmit of the entire screen can
	be initiated by the host (data / modified data only does
	work).  The user, however, can send in message, line, or
	screen mode.

f)	It weighs a least 50 pounds (well maybe I'm exaggerating.)

g)	All these problems required massive firmware programming effort
	to create.  Any quick & simple emulator on a PC is quite usable!
-- 
Stuart D. Gathman	<..!seismo!dgis!bms-at!stuart>