lauren%rand-unix@vortex.UUCP (10/16/83)
Greetings. Out of curiosity, does anybody out there know if
Vector Graphics, Co. has any "competitive" hardware/software
systems? What sort of equipment and software do they sell these
days? Does anybody actually buy/use them? I ask since I was
looking over a survey of computer equipment firms and their name
was totally absent. The last time I heard anything about them, they
were still selling hobbyist gear and some sort of business systems,
but I have no idea whether or not they've moved to 16-bit hardware,
or what their software looks like, or who buys it, or ...
Any information on this topic would be appreciated. Thanks much.
--Lauren--
ARPA: vortex!lauren@RAND-UNIX
UUCP: {decvax, allegra, harpo, ihnp4, seismo, randvax}!vortex!laurenandree@uokvax.UUCP (10/28/83)
#R:sri-arpa:-1269300:uokvax:3400001:000:1536 uokvax!andree Oct 26 00:08:00 1983 Yes, lauren, there is a vector graphics co. Unfortunately. They are now pushing something they call the `Vector 4.' It is STRICTLY a business machine (these people once sold hobbiest level hardware? Hard to believe...). The vector 4 is best thought of as a z100 done wrong. The basic system is an 8088 + z80b running at 5+ MHz. On the same board (NOT an s100 board, but the `motherboard') exists up to 256K ram, a floppy controller for 5 inch DDDS floppy, and several serial ports. You can get hard disk controllers on the thing, also. Currently, they will sell CP/M 2.3 (whatever that is), and CP/M-86 (Real Soon Now). They plan on selling CP/M-3 AND CP/M-plus (???). There is a 3-4 slot V-100 (not s-100) bus in it. Supposedly, the only difference between the v-100 and the s-100 is that the v-100 has a regulated power supply. This may be true, *HOWEVER* there are some s-100 lines that aren't connected to the bus. Like the upper 16 address lines. The TMA lines. Maybe some others. In any case, you can't put anything in the bus but DUMB I/O cards. No memory. No dma devices. No spare processors. I have a friend who bought one a couple of months ago (I looked at his far to long - that's where the info comes from). He'll sell it for not to much money, if you're interested. <mike P.S. - I worked with some older Vector hardware (3300 & the like) a couple of years ago. They had the same high caliber workmanship. There were things I would swear the DESIGNED to be hard to use. Has Vector ever put out anything that was good?