It actually looks like quite an intelligent way to build a system. What could be easier than swapping those cards in and out? Or is this the system that requires you to solder everything?
I just wish modern PCs were easier to deal with. It's still a pain even putting in memory sometimes, what with all the cables and junk in the way. Of course, I remember having problems putting memory into my A3000, too. It came on "static zip" chips or some such, and you had to change some jumpers. Geez.
The H8 was a kit computer, but yes, once it was built, you just plugged in more boards. Unfortunately, you also built those boards! ;-) It was very much like an S-100-based system like the Altair or IMSAI, but instead of using 100-pin cards it used the proprietary Heathkit size. Same concept though, in that you'd program everything directly via the number pad and display on the simple screen. Of course, with expansion you could hook it up to a terminal (like the H11 that I have) or expand it fully with HDOS/CP/M (of course requiring several more components). While in theory just adding new boards, be it on an S-100-based system or a Heathkit or anything like it, was a great concept (don't like your Intel-based CPU, put in a Motorola, etc.), in actual practice you had to program and configure the board to actually work. It required a LOT of technical expertise. In fact I saw a first-hand demonstration of this at VCF East 7.0 with a SOL system and boy was it intimidating. That's personal computing in just about its rawest and purest though...
Heathkit was nearly 100% build-it-yourself. Only when Zenith acquired them in the late 70's/early 80's did we start to see pre-assembled systems, put under the Zenith brand name. For instance, the Z100, which I have, is known as the H100 in its kit form. Same system, one was just pre-assembled, the other was not. They of course made many different types of electronics and hobby kits and were big in to the early 80's with their popular line of robot kits.
======================================
Bill Loguidice, Managing Director
Armchair Arcade, Inc.
======================================
*************************** Bill Loguidice, Managing Director
Armchair Arcade, Inc.
It actually looks like quite an intelligent way to build a system. What could be easier than swapping those cards in and out? Or is this the system that requires you to solder everything?
I just wish modern PCs were easier to deal with. It's still a pain even putting in memory sometimes, what with all the cables and junk in the way. Of course, I remember having problems putting memory into my A3000, too. It came on "static zip" chips or some such, and you had to change some jumpers. Geez.
The H8 was a kit computer, but yes, once it was built, you just plugged in more boards. Unfortunately, you also built those boards! ;-) It was very much like an S-100-based system like the Altair or IMSAI, but instead of using 100-pin cards it used the proprietary Heathkit size. Same concept though, in that you'd program everything directly via the number pad and display on the simple screen. Of course, with expansion you could hook it up to a terminal (like the H11 that I have) or expand it fully with HDOS/CP/M (of course requiring several more components). While in theory just adding new boards, be it on an S-100-based system or a Heathkit or anything like it, was a great concept (don't like your Intel-based CPU, put in a Motorola, etc.), in actual practice you had to program and configure the board to actually work. It required a LOT of technical expertise. In fact I saw a first-hand demonstration of this at VCF East 7.0 with a SOL system and boy was it intimidating. That's personal computing in just about its rawest and purest though...
Heathkit was nearly 100% build-it-yourself. Only when Zenith acquired them in the late 70's/early 80's did we start to see pre-assembled systems, put under the Zenith brand name. For instance, the Z100, which I have, is known as the H100 in its kit form. Same system, one was just pre-assembled, the other was not. They of course made many different types of electronics and hobby kits and were big in to the early 80's with their popular line of robot kits.
======================================
Bill Loguidice, Managing Director
Armchair Arcade, Inc.
======================================
***************************
Bill Loguidice, Managing Director
Armchair Arcade, Inc.