Due to their age they have become rare and thus expensive and hard to get.They feature unique and noteworthy designs.To that end they usually shipped with well written and instructive manuals. Have tremendous educational value (when first released and even now IMHO).They are reproductions of cool computer toys and devices from the 60's.So why would I want to undertake an H-500 Computer Lab reproduction? Because most of the projects that I have been working on lately follow the same pattern: While not a true computer, the H-500 could be "wired" to perform many of the underlying operations of a true computer using a point-to-point patch cord mechanism. Together the COMPUTER LAB package was intended to accompany courses in binary arithmetic, Boolean algebra, digital logic or computer technology. The machine itself shipped with a wonderful Computer Lab Workbook, written by the designer, that contained a complete course in digital electronics. It's not surprising that DEC would undertake this since more than half of it's PDP machines at the time were installed in educational institutions. Designed by John Hughes at DEC Canada, and launched in the late 60's, the H-500 was part of a COMPUTER LAB curriculum to introduce students and engineers to digital electronics. I would guess though that far fewer have encountered the H-500 Computer Lab. Many people reading this will be familiar with the Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) lines of PDP machines.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |