🚀 go-pugleaf

On 2018-01-22 7:23 PM, hanc...@bbs.cpcn.com wrote:
> On Saturday, December 23, 2017 at 2:26:09 PM UTC-5, Gareth's
> Downstairs Computer wrote:
>> In my case, in 1978 when the single 5V rail Z80 became available, 
>> when it became pointless to continue with ..
>> 
>> Up to that time, I'd spent 5 years making an 8 bit computer from
>> TTL which at the point of scrapping would run OKish at ONE 
>> instruction per second, but would fall over tryiing to go faster.
>> 
>> I felt really well off with my 128 bytes of RAM, made from 4 off
>> 256 by 1 bit statics RAMs with a shift register fiddle factor to
>> give me 8 bits.
>> 
>> It was definitely the case of having any computer merely for its
>> own sake without any necessary usability.
> 
> Sounds like the 1967 paperclip computer.  "How to Build a Working 
> Digital Computer", by Edward Alcosser.  Download from: 
> https://archive.org/details/howtobuildaworkingdigitalcomputer_jun67 
> (This was a guide to building a home computer using simple parts like
> paperclips, little knife switches, and flashlight bulbs.  It needed
> _lots_ of parts and a lot of wiring.  Given its complexity, I would
> be surprised if anyone could build a working unit--way too easy for
> the parts to bend and not make contact or short out.)
> 
> 
A book with a light blue cover. I remember it. I still have the book
last seen a few months ago. Reliable easy of use, no. But at the time
I learned a lot by studying the details. Never built one but I did hand
paper simulations of some programs for it.

Thanks for the memory.

w..