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Ten Sexiest Computers of all time - Vulture Central
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Geoff
Apr 9, 2013, 6:17:10 AM4/9/13
to
Chris Young
Apr 9, 2013, 1:53:15 PM4/9/13
to
On Tue, 9 Apr 2013 03:17:10 -0700 (PDT) da kidz on comp.sys.sinclair were rappin'
to MC Geoff:
Look at number 4... or should I say, number PHWOARR?
Don't fancy number 3 much, the A600 would have been a better choice
(or the CDTV, now that *is* a sexy looking bit of kit)
Getting slightly back on topic, the SAM Coup� would have been a good
fit for that article. Maybe not sexy in the traditional sense, but
certainly unique. Sort of like the girl next door.[1]
Chris
[1] p Footnote not found, 3:2
--
+-------------------------------------------+
| Unsatisfactory Software - "because it is" |
| http://www.unsatisfactorysoftware.co.uk |
| Your Sinclair: A Celebration |
+- http://www.yoursinclair.co.uk -----------+
DISCLAIMER: I may be making all this stuff up again.
to MC Geoff:
Look at number 4... or should I say, number PHWOARR?
Don't fancy number 3 much, the A600 would have been a better choice
(or the CDTV, now that *is* a sexy looking bit of kit)
Getting slightly back on topic, the SAM Coup� would have been a good
fit for that article. Maybe not sexy in the traditional sense, but
certainly unique. Sort of like the girl next door.[1]
Chris
[1] p Footnote not found, 3:2
--
+-------------------------------------------+
| Unsatisfactory Software - "because it is" |
| http://www.unsatisfactorysoftware.co.uk |
| Your Sinclair: A Celebration |
+- http://www.yoursinclair.co.uk -----------+
DISCLAIMER: I may be making all this stuff up again.
Duncan Snowden
Apr 9, 2013, 3:11:51 PM4/9/13
to
On 9 Apr 2013 18:53:15 +0100
> Don't fancy number 3 much, the A600 would have been a better choice
> (or the CDTV, now that *is* a sexy looking bit of kit)
For a moment there, I thought you meant the CD32. That was definitely
*not* one of the sexiest computers ever. At all. Brrr. But yes, the CDTV
was very nice. 20 years ahead of its time, when you look at some of the
HTPC cases you can buy these days.
I actually think the C128 was a good choice. It was by far the best
iteration of that Commodore design language.[1] The A500, while vaguely
similar, was much less sharp. Maybe pictures don't do it justice (a
mate of mine had one "back in the day", as the young people have it).
What about the Speccy 128 though, or the QL? All of Rick Dickinson's
designs for Sinclair were awesome.
(And since we're including games consoles, I'd put the original white
Xbox 360 at least alongside the PS3. Especially, oddly enough, in its
cheap “Arcade” guise without all the chrome bling. Familiarity -
and a redesign - might have bred contempt, but look at it: it's like
something out of 2001, or JJ Abrams' Star Trek reboot. If they'd put an
Apple logo on it, the hipsters would have gone bananas.)
[1] Do you see what I did there?
[2] Ooh, get Steven Bailey here!
--
Duncan Snowden.
"Chris Young" <chris....@mail-filter.com> wrote:
> On Tue, 9 Apr 2013 03:17:10 -0700 (PDT) da kidz on comp.sys.sinclair
> were rappin' to MC Geoff:
>
> > Wait for it...
> >
> > http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/04/09/feature_ten_sexy_computers_roundup/
>
> Look at number 4... or should I say, number PHWOARR?
Computers you can walk inside are always cool.[1]
> On Tue, 9 Apr 2013 03:17:10 -0700 (PDT) da kidz on comp.sys.sinclair
> were rappin' to MC Geoff:
>
> > Wait for it...
> >
> > http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/04/09/feature_ten_sexy_computers_roundup/
>
> Look at number 4... or should I say, number PHWOARR?
> Don't fancy number 3 much, the A600 would have been a better choice
> (or the CDTV, now that *is* a sexy looking bit of kit)
*not* one of the sexiest computers ever. At all. Brrr. But yes, the CDTV
was very nice. 20 years ahead of its time, when you look at some of the
HTPC cases you can buy these days.
I actually think the C128 was a good choice. It was by far the best
iteration of that Commodore design language.[1] The A500, while vaguely
similar, was much less sharp. Maybe pictures don't do it justice (a
mate of mine had one "back in the day", as the young people have it).
What about the Speccy 128 though, or the QL? All of Rick Dickinson's
designs for Sinclair were awesome.
(And since we're including games consoles, I'd put the original white
Xbox 360 at least alongside the PS3. Especially, oddly enough, in its
cheap “Arcade” guise without all the chrome bling. Familiarity -
and a redesign - might have bred contempt, but look at it: it's like
something out of 2001, or JJ Abrams' Star Trek reboot. If they'd put an
Apple logo on it, the hipsters would have gone bananas.)
[1] Do you see what I did there?
[2] Ooh, get Steven Bailey here!
--
Duncan Snowden.
Chris Young
Apr 9, 2013, 4:05:32 PM4/9/13
to
On Tue, 9 Apr 2013 20:11:51 +0100 da kidz on comp.sys.sinclair were rappin'
to MC Duncan Snowden:
> I actually think the C128 was a good choice. It was by far the best
> iteration of that Commodore design language.[1] The A500, while vaguely
> similar, was much less sharp. Maybe pictures don't do it justice (a
> mate of mine had one "back in the day", as the young people have it).
It's not bad (certainly much superior to the C64 breadbin design), but
the A600 is - can I say cute? (you just did - Ed).
For the larger all-in-one keyboard design, the ST is better - mostly
due to the curvature of the function keys that blend in to the back of
the case. The (Acorn) A3010/A3020 had some nice curves too.
> (And since we're including games consoles, I'd put the original white
> Xbox 360 at least alongside the PS3. Especially, oddly enough, in its
> cheap “Arcade” guise without all the chrome bling. Familiarity -
> and a redesign - might have bred contempt, but look at it: it's like
> something out of 2001, or JJ Abrams' Star Trek reboot. If they'd put an
> Apple logo on it, the hipsters would have gone bananas.)
It looks a bit too much like a PC - and the cheap looking plasticy
Dell cases from a similar era PC at that.
The Wii is a much sexier white console.
Chris
to MC Duncan Snowden:
> I actually think the C128 was a good choice. It was by far the best
> iteration of that Commodore design language.[1] The A500, while vaguely
> similar, was much less sharp. Maybe pictures don't do it justice (a
> mate of mine had one "back in the day", as the young people have it).
the A600 is - can I say cute? (you just did - Ed).
For the larger all-in-one keyboard design, the ST is better - mostly
due to the curvature of the function keys that blend in to the back of
the case. The (Acorn) A3010/A3020 had some nice curves too.
> (And since we're including games consoles, I'd put the original white
> Xbox 360 at least alongside the PS3. Especially, oddly enough, in its
> cheap “Arcade” guise without all the chrome bling. Familiarity -
> and a redesign - might have bred contempt, but look at it: it's like
> something out of 2001, or JJ Abrams' Star Trek reboot. If they'd put an
> Apple logo on it, the hipsters would have gone bananas.)
Dell cases from a similar era PC at that.
The Wii is a much sexier white console.
Chris
deKay
Apr 10, 2013, 3:49:06 AM4/10/13
to
On Tue, 9 Apr 2013, Chris Young wrote:
> On Tue, 9 Apr 2013 20:11:51 +0100 da kidz on comp.sys.sinclair were rappin'
> to MC Duncan Snowden:
>
>> I actually think the C128 was a good choice. It was by far the best
>> iteration of that Commodore design language.[1] The A500, while vaguely
>> similar, was much less sharp. Maybe pictures don't do it justice (a
>> mate of mine had one "back in the day", as the young people have it).
>
> It's not bad (certainly much superior to the C64 breadbin design), but
> the A600 is - can I say cute? (you just did - Ed).
Problem with the A600 is that the 3 status LEDs on the right hand side
> On Tue, 9 Apr 2013 20:11:51 +0100 da kidz on comp.sys.sinclair were rappin'
> to MC Duncan Snowden:
>
>> I actually think the C128 was a good choice. It was by far the best
>> iteration of that Commodore design language.[1] The A500, while vaguely
>> similar, was much less sharp. Maybe pictures don't do it justice (a
>> mate of mine had one "back in the day", as the young people have it).
>
> It's not bad (certainly much superior to the C64 breadbin design), but
> the A600 is - can I say cute? (you just did - Ed).
make it look like there are three keys missing.
> For the larger all-in-one keyboard design, the ST is better - mostly
> due to the curvature of the function keys that blend in to the back of
> the case. The (Acorn) A3010/A3020 had some nice curves too.
> The Wii is a much sexier white console.
I quite like the matt black 360 slim too. All the PS3s look terrible.
deKay
--
Lofi Gaming - http://lofi-gaming.org.uk
Gaming Diary - http://lofi-gaming.org.uk/diary
Blog - http://lofi-gaming.org.uk/blog
My computer runs at 3.5MHz and I'm proud of that
Brian Gaff
Apr 10, 2013, 3:55:52 AM4/10/13
to
Hmm yes, but there have been a lot of computers with a lot of differing
looks and abilities of course. The one thing now that is a bit boring is
that you have pcs and appleles and the hardware is not a lot different. Thre
are more in the mobile and hand held stakes but even here the tendency is to
use the same bits.
Going back in time it all depends on what you thought suited you. One of the
best things about ehe Sinclairs were that they could be very easily
programmed.
How did we get to todays machines without developing such abilities.
Brian
--
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active
"Chris Young" <chris....@mail-filter.com> wrote in message
news:5164639B.MD-1.4...@unsatisfactorysoftware.co.uk...
looks and abilities of course. The one thing now that is a bit boring is
that you have pcs and appleles and the hardware is not a lot different. Thre
are more in the mobile and hand held stakes but even here the tendency is to
use the same bits.
Going back in time it all depends on what you thought suited you. One of the
best things about ehe Sinclairs were that they could be very easily
programmed.
How did we get to todays machines without developing such abilities.
Brian
--
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active
"Chris Young" <chris....@mail-filter.com> wrote in message
news:5164639B.MD-1.4...@unsatisfactorysoftware.co.uk...
colboy
Apr 10, 2013, 9:31:27 AM4/10/13
to
Can't believe the Memotech MTX 512 doesn't get a mention. Oh how I remember lusting after one of those LOL
Brian Gaff
Apr 14, 2013, 3:02:58 AM4/14/13
to
Want mine?
The main reason I found it a pain was that the edge connectors keep needing
cleaning and the only way to do this was to open the case hinge it up and
slide out the cards and clean them. At least the speccy ones could be
cleaned without opening the case!
Brian
--
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active
"colboy" <col...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:c3938d61-485d-4af4...@googlegroups.com...
The main reason I found it a pain was that the edge connectors keep needing
cleaning and the only way to do this was to open the case hinge it up and
slide out the cards and clean them. At least the speccy ones could be
cleaned without opening the case!
Brian
--
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active
news:c3938d61-485d-4af4...@googlegroups.com...
Volker Bartheld
Apr 14, 2013, 3:22:34 AM4/14/13
to
Hi!
On Sun, 14 Apr 2013 08:02:58 +0100, Brian Gaff wrote:
> The main reason I found it a pain was that the edge connectors keep needing
> cleaning and the only way to do this was to open the case hinge it up and
> slide out the cards and clean them. At least the speccy ones could be
> cleaned without opening the case!
I soldered an "edge connector extension" onto the PCB of my speccy which
has a gold plating - see http://bartheld.net/temp/dsc_9003.jpg for an
impression on how it looks like. This solved the problem once and for all,
still works fine today.
Unfortunately http://buerklin.de doesn't seem to have them anymore, so
you're pretty much on your own...
Cheers,
Volker
P.S.: Please excuse the messy wire routing. I was young, in a hurry and I
needed the money. ;-)
--
@: I N F O at B A R T H E L D dot N E T
3W: www.bartheld.net
On Sun, 14 Apr 2013 08:02:58 +0100, Brian Gaff wrote:
> The main reason I found it a pain was that the edge connectors keep needing
> cleaning and the only way to do this was to open the case hinge it up and
> slide out the cards and clean them. At least the speccy ones could be
> cleaned without opening the case!
has a gold plating - see http://bartheld.net/temp/dsc_9003.jpg for an
impression on how it looks like. This solved the problem once and for all,
still works fine today.
Unfortunately http://buerklin.de doesn't seem to have them anymore, so
you're pretty much on your own...
Cheers,
Volker
P.S.: Please excuse the messy wire routing. I was young, in a hurry and I
needed the money. ;-)
--
@: I N F O at B A R T H E L D dot N E T
3W: www.bartheld.net
Brian Gaff
Apr 14, 2013, 10:37:26 AM4/14/13
to
You can't do this on the Memotech as there is only just enough room for the
computer, memory board and the comms board.
Brian
--
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active
"Volker Bartheld" <dr_ve...@freenet.de> wrote in message
news:nd8ja39w...@news.bartheld.net...
computer, memory board and the comms board.
Brian
--
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active
news:nd8ja39w...@news.bartheld.net...
andy....@googlemail.com
May 30, 2013, 5:13:58 PM5/30/13
to
Its true that the edge connectors on an MTX oxidize and need cleaning.
Also, in some MTXs, the cards inside the case ended up being physically soldered together because of this.
I think the whole strategy of exposing the same bus signals at both ends/sides of the motherboard and certain add-ons was seen as an innovation at the time.
{{{ Andy
http://www.nyangau.org/memotech/memotech.htm
Also, in some MTXs, the cards inside the case ended up being physically soldered together because of this.
I think the whole strategy of exposing the same bus signals at both ends/sides of the motherboard and certain add-ons was seen as an innovation at the time.
{{{ Andy
http://www.nyangau.org/memotech/memotech.htm
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