crean@ny1mm.DEC (03/25/85)
There's not really a "right" newsgroup for this question, so I'm posting it to several. It's a personal computer question, and I'm hoping that some of the readers of this newsgroup might just be able to help. . . Recently, Coleco announced that they were dumping the ADAM personal computer. Since then, the system has become available at some large discount toy stores at extremely attractive prices. (i.e. < $300.00). As I am a collector of personal computers, this has picqued my interest. However, I know next to nothing about ADAM, and would like to have the input of some people who do know about it. Specifically, what sort of software is available? Is it any good? Is the "built-in" word processing software any good? The box says ADAM BASIC is "source code compatible" with AppleSoft BASIC -- can I take that literally? The box mentioned an optional disk drive as a future -- did that ever come to pass? What about the price? Can I reasonably expect it to come down any further, after the "liquidator" has recovered their investment? How readily available are they? Have you seen many of them lying about? (I'm concerned that the supply might dwindle before I've made my decision.) Also, I am a hardware hacker, and would be curious to learn what I can about the innards of this beast. In particular, how difficult might it be to get ADAM to talk to my other machines (e.g.: Atari, Commodore, DEC)? To re-iterate: I know NOTHING about ADAM, and so ANY information AT ALL would be greatly appreciated. (Even if it might seem like a trivial comment.) Also, pointers to good resources for further research would be appreciated. (i.e.: Is there a magazine that addresses the ADAM? Any reliable mail-order sources for software/hardware?) Since I don't monitor all of the newsgroups to which I'm posting this, Email to would be preferable. I'll gladly summarize what I learn and post it here. Many thanks, Kevin Crean DIGITAL Equipment Corp. U.S. Mail: 200 White Plains Road Tarrytown, NY 10591 Telephone: (914) 684-5721 UUCP: ...decvax!decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-ny1mm!crean Internet: crean%ny1mm.DEC@decwrl.ARPA Disclaimer: This space intentionally left blank.