msm@sri-unix (06/30/82)
Regarding presby!aron's request for information on an inexpensive computer system, I have a recommendation if you don't mind doing the integration yourself. Try a CAL-TEX (San Jose, CA: 408/942-1424) "Big Board" (The new version with 64K, CRT controller, disk controller, serial and parallel I/O, DMA -- $895 assembled and tested). This requires a power supply, monitor, keyboard, and floppy disk drives which can be obtained at competitive prices anywhere. I have put together a "big board" system (using an interim Big Board I until the new Big Board II arrives later this month), 2 floppies (8") and a terminal "shell" (monitor, keyboard, power supply (which also powers the cpu board) in a nice enclosure) for about $2,000. Admitedly, there were some bargans obtained (like the terminal shell, and one of the floppy drives) locally, but I don't think that this figure is unrealistic. The system as described was easy to integrate. That consisted of just cabling together -- all the individual components were already assembled. Michael S. Maiten Silicon Gulch, California