Popular Electronics, et. al.

kellertx5er wrote:
....So what distinguished a 'home' computer from a 'mini' computer in 1975?

That question was asked often back then. As I recall a "mini" computer was one that could fit in a single 6 foot cabinet and a "home" computer would fit in a table top size box.

strollin wrote:

wa8yxm wrote:
Popular Electronics was a great Mag.

In fact the first Home computer,, was a design (how to build) Published in Popular Electronics.. you could build one from the plans they published or...

3ofthe editors formed a company MITS, not to be confused with MIT). and sold a kit
(ALTIR 8080 if I spelled it correctly) making it easier. ...

It was not a home computer but a mini computer, the Altair 8800, and the plans were published in the Jan 1975 issue of the magazine. I have that issue tucked away somewhere because I wanted to build it but couldn't afford the price of the kit.

Altair 8800

So what distinguished a 'home' computer from a 'mini' computer in 1975?

wa8yxm wrote:
Popular Electronics was a great Mag.

In fact the first Home computer,, was a design (how to build) Published in Popular Electronics.. you could build one from the plans they published or...

3ofthe editors formed a company MITS, not to be confused with MIT). and sold a kit
(ALTIR 8080 if I spelled it correctly) making it easier. ...

It was not a home computer but a mini computer, the Altair 8800, and the plans were published in the Jan 1975 issue of the magazine. I have that issue tucked away somewhere because I wanted to build it but couldn't afford the price of the kit.

Altair 8800

Some may find this you tube video neat as well- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzyXMEpq4qw- Hand Made Vacuum Tubes by Claude Paillard.

Popular Electronics was a great Mag.

In fact the first Home computer,, was a design (how to build) Published in Popular Electronics.. you could build one from the plans they published or...

3ofthe editors formed a company MITS, not to be confused with MIT). and sold a kit
(ALTIR 8080 if I spelled it correctly) making it easier.

They were looking for an I/O connector for the thing.. So they went to a supplier and ask "What do you have that is cheap" Telling him they only needed a few wires... He scratched his head and said something like; Well I've got these connectors here,,,They have 100 terminals but I can give 'em to you cheap because I special ordered them and the customer never picked 'em up.

And that folks... Is why we have the S-100 bus What is that IEEE-696

I use to love then heath kit items many years ago. Todays circuit boards take all of the fun out.
Don

Never read the articles. Only the parts list for the cool projects

Yes I remember Carl and Jerry. Loved those stories. :)

Anybody remember the Carl and Jerry monthly story in Popular Electronics. They always had some type of an electronics related adventure each month.

SCVJeff wrote:
Sweet !

Now, where can I find Sky King, Whirlybirds, and Waterfront?

Those are ALL TV Series not magazines......BUT you asked :B

Sky King

Whirlybirds

Waterfront