Comments on: The Lisa Computer System - Apple designs a new kind of machine http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/29/the-lisa-computer-system-apple-designs-a-new-kind-of-machine/ Yesterday's tomorrow, today. Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:38:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Charlie http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/29/the-lisa-computer-system-apple-designs-a-new-kind-of-machine/#comment-1056553 Charlie Fri, 06 Jun 2008 03:21:40 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4514#comment-1056553 Did the 12" screen still run at the same resolution as the 9"? Or at the original Lisa res? I'll bet a lot of early mac programs were hard coded for the screen size. Did the 12″ screen still run at the same resolution as the 9″? Or at the original Lisa res? I’ll bet a lot of early mac programs were hard coded for the screen size.

]]> By: OM http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/29/the-lisa-computer-system-apple-designs-a-new-kind-of-machine/#comment-1056545 OM Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:50:02 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4514#comment-1056545 ...Actually, the Lisa only became a machine worth bothering with when Sun Remarketing bought up all of (cr)Apple's unsold, overpriced boxes and converted them to essentially a Fat Mac on steroids - 786K as opposed to 512K, and a 12" screen to the pathetic 9" ones all the original Macs sported. …Actually, the Lisa only became a machine worth bothering with when Sun Remarketing bought up all of (cr)Apple’s unsold, overpriced boxes and converted them to essentially a Fat Mac on steroids - 786K as opposed to 512K, and a 12″ screen to the pathetic 9″ ones all the original Macs sported.

]]> By: Officially Rad http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/29/the-lisa-computer-system-apple-designs-a-new-kind-of-machine/#comment-1056271 Officially Rad Sun, 01 Jun 2008 22:38:41 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4514#comment-1056271 Just called the numbers from all of the ads on a whim. None of these companies are around anymore :) Just called the numbers from all of the ads on a whim. None of these companies are around anymore :)

]]> By: jayessell http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/29/the-lisa-computer-system-apple-designs-a-new-kind-of-machine/#comment-1056129 jayessell Fri, 30 May 2008 11:35:25 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4514#comment-1056129 The original Radius Pivot had a mercury switch in the monitor to change the display mode to match the orientation of the monitor. I have an LCD pivot arm (still in the box) that boasts it allows rotating the monitor 90 degrees like that. I have a widescreen LCD. I'll have to check my video card to see if it supports 'portrait' mode. The original Radius Pivot had a mercury switch in the monitor to change the display mode
to match the orientation of the monitor.

I have an LCD pivot arm (still in the box) that boasts it allows rotating the monitor 90 degrees like that.
I have a widescreen LCD.
I’ll have to check my video card to see if it supports ‘portrait’ mode.

]]> By: R. C. Beckom http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/29/the-lisa-computer-system-apple-designs-a-new-kind-of-machine/#comment-1056116 R. C. Beckom Fri, 30 May 2008 07:33:45 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4514#comment-1056116 I am so glad to be finding out that someone has made it easier to create a way to present difference concepts to be accepted with ease. what's next? I am so glad to be finding out that someone has made it easier to create a way to present difference concepts to be accepted with ease. what’s next?

]]> By: Neil Russell http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/29/the-lisa-computer-system-apple-designs-a-new-kind-of-machine/#comment-1056107 Neil Russell Fri, 30 May 2008 04:37:06 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4514#comment-1056107 Charlie: And so I was! Thank you, I'll be able to sleep tonight :) Charlie: And so I was! Thank you, I’ll be able to sleep tonight :)

]]> By: Charlie http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/29/the-lisa-computer-system-apple-designs-a-new-kind-of-machine/#comment-1056104 Charlie Fri, 30 May 2008 04:22:20 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4514#comment-1056104 Are you thinking of the Radius Pivot? Are you thinking of the Radius Pivot?

]]> By: Neil Russell http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/29/the-lisa-computer-system-apple-designs-a-new-kind-of-machine/#comment-1056102 Neil Russell Fri, 30 May 2008 03:41:13 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4514#comment-1056102 I sure am glad we have this Internet thing instead of me just relying on the trivia stored in my head! After a bit of research I hit this page http://www.computercloset.org/appleLisa2.htm that pointed out quickly that the computer system I was looking for was the Xerox Star, not one made by Digital. Although the DEC Rainbow fit the bill The "tall screen" computer was the Xerox Alto from way back in 1973. The 90 degree turn-style monitor, I still can't find. I sure am glad we have this Internet thing instead of me just relying on the trivia stored in my head! After a bit of research I hit this page http://www.computercloset.org/appleLisa2.htm that pointed out quickly that the computer system I was looking for was the Xerox Star, not one made by Digital. Although the DEC Rainbow fit the bill
The “tall screen” computer was the Xerox Alto from way back in 1973. The 90 degree turn-style monitor, I still can’t find.

]]> By: Neil Russell http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/29/the-lisa-computer-system-apple-designs-a-new-kind-of-machine/#comment-1056099 Neil Russell Fri, 30 May 2008 03:01:23 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4514#comment-1056099 JSL: I believe you have hit it with the Rainbow. It's amazing how many different makers and concepts there were back in those pioneering days. Speaking of word processing systems, do you recall one with a "convertible" monitor that could be turned 90 degrees to show an entire page of paper? For some reason I was thinking that old Digital machine had a "tall" screen rather than the more traditional monitor. One little sidebar, when you mentioned the dot matrix printer, I was so proud of my Star NX 1000 when I got it (something like $170) because it had such high resolution for such a low price. I never got up the purchase price for the color model with the 4 stripe ribbons, thank goodness JSL: I believe you have hit it with the Rainbow. It’s amazing how many different makers and concepts there were back in those pioneering days.
Speaking of word processing systems, do you recall one with a “convertible” monitor that could be turned 90 degrees to show an entire page of paper?
For some reason I was thinking that old Digital machine had a “tall” screen rather than the more traditional monitor.

One little sidebar, when you mentioned the dot matrix printer, I was so proud of my Star NX 1000 when I got it (something like $170) because it had such high resolution for such a low price.
I never got up the purchase price for the color model with the 4 stripe ribbons, thank goodness

]]> By: jayessell http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/29/the-lisa-computer-system-apple-designs-a-new-kind-of-machine/#comment-1056067 jayessell Thu, 29 May 2008 22:28:42 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4514#comment-1056067 Neil: DEC Rainbow? (I remember it having a monochrome screen!) And non-standard floppies. It's on Jeanine's desk in the first Ghostbusters movie. Egon plugs it in. Epson had a dedicated word processor/mail-merge system. qx-10? It was teamed with a near-letter-quality 24 pin dot matrix printer. High resolution monochrome monitor. Neil: DEC Rainbow?
(I remember it having a monochrome screen!)
And non-standard floppies.
It’s on Jeanine’s desk in the first Ghostbusters movie. Egon plugs it in.

Epson had a dedicated word processor/mail-merge system.
qx-10?
It was teamed with a near-letter-quality 24 pin dot matrix printer.
High resolution monochrome monitor.

]]> By: Neil Russell http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/29/the-lisa-computer-system-apple-designs-a-new-kind-of-machine/#comment-1056048 Neil Russell Thu, 29 May 2008 16:30:35 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4514#comment-1056048 Ok, now that I've read it I realize what they were talking about was working up a deal with Digital to utilize LISA systems. Microsoft took note but it took a while, some years back I sold a copy of Windows 2.0 on ebay but not before I tried it out on an old 286 machine. Their idea of a GUI was somewhat limited and a pointing device was non existent. And it was black and white even on a CGA monitor Wonder what the original list on it was, I got $10 for it on the Bay Ok, now that I’ve read it I realize what they were talking about was working up a deal with Digital to utilize LISA systems.

Microsoft took note but it took a while, some years back I sold a copy of Windows 2.0 on ebay but not before I tried it out on an old 286 machine.
Their idea of a GUI was somewhat limited and a pointing device was non existent.

And it was black and white even on a CGA monitor

Wonder what the original list on it was, I got $10 for it on the Bay

]]> By: Neil Russell http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/29/the-lisa-computer-system-apple-designs-a-new-kind-of-machine/#comment-1056047 Neil Russell Thu, 29 May 2008 16:24:08 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4514#comment-1056047 I'm going to make the mistake of posting a comment before reading the article, but didn't Digital also have a machine with a GUI and a mouse around this time? The reason I asked is that I recalled a news story run at CNN where I was working at the time that showed a Digital Corp machine and there was mention of the LISA. 25 years have elapsed since that but it stuck in my head. Now I'll go read it and probably wish I hadn't posted! :) I’m going to make the mistake of posting a comment before reading the article, but didn’t Digital also have a machine with a GUI and a mouse around this time?
The reason I asked is that I recalled a news story run at CNN where I was working at the time that showed a Digital Corp machine and there was mention of the LISA. 25 years have elapsed since that but it stuck in my head.

Now I’ll go read it and probably wish I hadn’t posted! :)

]]> By: Suzanne http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/29/the-lisa-computer-system-apple-designs-a-new-kind-of-machine/#comment-1056034 Suzanne Thu, 29 May 2008 14:01:13 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4514#comment-1056034 I'm fond of saying, "I'm just old enough and just geek enough" when referring to older computer concepts. I am so wrong!!! I had no idea there were computers like this available. LOGO was my first exposure to computers in 1984 which led to a summer school class playing with BASIC programs on an Apple IIE. I eventually had a C64 at home but never programmed much more than random number generators and ASCII art. I’m fond of saying, “I’m just old enough and just geek enough” when referring to older computer concepts. I am so wrong!!! I had no idea there were computers like this available. LOGO was my first exposure to computers in 1984 which led to a summer school class playing with BASIC programs on an Apple IIE. I eventually had a C64 at home but never programmed much more than random number generators and ASCII art.

]]> By: jayessell http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/29/the-lisa-computer-system-apple-designs-a-new-kind-of-machine/#comment-1056021 jayessell Thu, 29 May 2008 12:32:08 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4514#comment-1056021 Dang! If only I had kept all the video cassettes from the computer store I worked at in the 1980s! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj2A0LybwPA Dang! If only I had kept all the video cassettes from the computer store I worked at in the 1980s!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj2A0LybwPA

]]> By: Casandro http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/29/the-lisa-computer-system-apple-designs-a-new-kind-of-machine/#comment-1056017 Casandro Thu, 29 May 2008 11:30:51 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4514#comment-1056017 Well GUIs are actually quite older than what Xerox or Apple had. Just think about systems like GRAIL. Well GUIs are actually quite older than what Xerox or Apple had. Just think about systems like GRAIL.

]]> By: Matthew http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/29/the-lisa-computer-system-apple-designs-a-new-kind-of-machine/#comment-1056015 Matthew Thu, 29 May 2008 11:14:30 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4514#comment-1056015 Amazing really - I just made a bar chart in Excel and did exactly the same process. Technological innovation in OS software has really slowed, hasn't it? Apple's prices (and the rest of the industry) were really remarkable. My dad bought a laserwriter in I guess about 1990 and it was £5000 or so. Amazing really - I just made a bar chart in Excel and did exactly the same process. Technological innovation in OS software has really slowed, hasn’t it?

Apple’s prices (and the rest of the industry) were really remarkable. My dad bought a laserwriter in I guess about 1990 and it was £5000 or so.

]]> By: Rogelio Perea http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/29/the-lisa-computer-system-apple-designs-a-new-kind-of-machine/#comment-1056013 Rogelio Perea Thu, 29 May 2008 10:59:31 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4514#comment-1056013 History on the making. While most hacked away at their PCs (Commodores, Tandy CoCos, Ataris, etc) via the tried and true command line, in comes the Lisa with the GUI. XEROX may have thought about it on the first place but it was Apple who pushed it forward to every-day applications, both companies deserve the recognition on the development of the GUI. Great post! History on the making. While most hacked away at their PCs (Commodores, Tandy CoCos, Ataris, etc) via the tried and true command line, in comes the Lisa with the GUI. XEROX may have thought about it on the first place but it was Apple who pushed it forward to every-day applications, both companies deserve the recognition on the development of the GUI. Great post!

]]> By: mike brisendine http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/29/the-lisa-computer-system-apple-designs-a-new-kind-of-machine/#comment-1056010 mike brisendine Thu, 29 May 2008 10:49:48 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4514#comment-1056010 I well remember the first time I saw a Lisa and how impressed I was with the graphic interface. The R&D company I worked for at the time bought three. They had a contract to apply the computer(and others) to military uses. The Lisa was a ground breaking macine but not sucessful in the market. I guess the $10,000 price tag in 1983 dollars was just to steep. I well remember the first time I saw a Lisa and how impressed I was with the graphic interface. The R&D company I worked for at the time bought three. They had a contract to apply the computer(and others) to military uses. The Lisa was a ground breaking macine but not sucessful in the market. I guess the $10,000 price tag in 1983 dollars was just to steep.

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