Path: utzoo!utgpu!watmath!clyde!mcdchg!ddsw1!andyross
From: andyross@ddsw1.MCS.COM (Andrew Rossmann)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.tandy
Subject: Re: Tandy Printer + PC Compatible Query
Message-ID: <3254@ddsw1.MCS.COM>
Date: 8 Apr 89 00:14:57 GMT
References: <1370@cunixc.cc.columbia.edu! <136500014@cpe! <1407@csm9a.UUCP!
Reply-To: andyross@ddsw1.UUCP (Andrew Rossmann)
Organization: ddsw1.MCS.COM, Mundelein, IL
Lines: 62

In article <1407@csm9a.UUCP! japplega@csm9a.UUCP (Joe Applegate) writes:
!! when the standards weren't quite so clear and nobody cared much) Tandy's
!! printer interface went a slightly different direction than IBM PC's.
!
!The real facts are that Tandy has designs their peripherals and
!computers to NOT use industry standards in order to force their customers
!to ALWAYS BUY TANDY...
!
!Case in point:  The Tandy 1000
!Non-Compatible hard disk interrupt
  The SX/TX can use standard PC hard disk controllers after flipping a DIP
switch. The SL/TL only use the IBM PC standard.

!Reversed drive cable
  ?????

!Non-standard JoyStick
  Who uses joysticks???

!Non-standard Parallel Port
  Dates back to the Model I. Reduced costs by using an existing design. Can
EASILY be built into motherboard. Doesn't require an expensive DB25
connection and the space it requires.

!Uses Tandy Specific 8087 (won't use IBM chip)
  BULL: I'm using a stock 8087 in my SX.

!Non-Standard Monitor scan rate
  AS A DEFAULT, Tandy adds an extra blank scan line between lines. This
allows a QUALITY monitor with adjustable vertical height to squash the scan
lines slight closer together for more readable text. A simple MODE 200 will
make it completely compatbile with 'normal' monitors.

!Very Non-Standard - Not replacible keyboard!
  Northgate offers a replacement keyboard. 
!
!I could beleive that 1 or 2 incompatibilities in a system were the result
!of lack of standardization but for a computer bought in 1986, such radical
!departure from standards in every peripheral interface on a machine sold
!as an IBM compatible could only be acomplished by design!
  The 1000 was originally designed to be a PCjr compatible, and was
brought out in 1984, not 1986.

!As to the comment that "nobody cared much", every other manufacturer had
!adapted the IBM PC architecture by 1984... Tandy was still trying to
!lock in their customer base, while claiming compatibility in 1986!
!
!"Tandy, There are so many better values"
!
!"Tandy, In Business for OUR business"
!
!"Tandy, Sales, Sales, and Sales"
!
!			   - Joe Applegate -
!    ======================STANDARD DISCLAIMER============================
!     All views and opinions are my own and do not represent the views or
!     opinions of the Colorado School of Mines, whatever they might be.
!    =====================================================================

  If you hate Tandy so much, why do you read this conference???

andyross@ddsw1.MCS.COM, andyross@igloo.UUCP