Honestly, I scanned this entire article because I liked the title.
What’s a RAM?
The vocabulary of engineers or experimenters working with computers, synthesizers, electronic calculators and similar digital devices is replete with acronyms you should know. RAM is one, read on to find out what it is and how it’s used.
by DON LANCASTER
ANY MEMORY IS A STORAGE DEVICE THAT is given some information at some time and hopefully will return that identical information at a later date for reuse at least once. The most elemental unit of a memory storage system is the cell which can store one bit consisting of a “1-0″ or “Yes-No” simple decision. Memory cells are often grouped into words of several bits each. These words can represent the number in a calculator, an instruction command in a computer, a tone and its duration in an electronic music composer, an alphanumeric character in a TV Typewriter and so on. Read the rest of this entry »
“The significance of higher data communications rates has grown with the deregulation of the communications industry because communication costs are expected to rise. Gamma Technology is claiming that an eightfold increase in data rate (from 1200 bps to 9600 bps) will save several thousand dollars a year if 160K bytes of information are transmitted daily across the United States. Savings would be even greater if data were transmitted overseas.”
Sitting here on my 50 mbs internet connection I’m going to say that guess was a bit off. The total amount data they are talking about transmitting over a year is less than the size of the images in this post.
I also particularly liked that the searches on the third page are for “Computer, Privacy Surveillance, NSA and Tapping”. Just a hunch but I’d guess that the person who made that screenshot probably later joined the EFF.
Trends in Telecommunications
On-line search software and faster modems for PCs
by John Markoff
Now that the personal computer (PC) has won the battle for office desktop space, software developers are turning their attention toward programs that combine the storage capacity of mainframe computers with the local processing power of PCs. Although mainframes offer PC users access to huge on-line databases of specialized information, how to get to the information and bring it to the PC in a usable form is another question entirely.
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“The keyboard is the key to greater challenge.”
With that membrane keyboard, I’d say so.
The Only Video Game Voice Module with an Unlimited Vocabulary
The Voice from Odyssey 2 adds a whole new dimension to the fun of video games. With this optional module and its specially programmed cartridges, Odyssey 2 becomes the only video game system that can repeat any words typed into the keyboard, and much more!
Depending upon which cartridge you insert The Voice can do a whole bunch of other exciting things. Like asking questions and demanding answers to math and spelling problems. It even enhances sound effects and warns of approaching enemies in certain arcade games!
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The Mac had only been out for six months and already the fanboy trope was already in full effect.
“I’ve already experienced what happens when one is less than enthusiastic about Macintosh: the Mactribesmen descend in force with fire and sword.”
COMPUTING AT CHAOS MANOR
The AT&T Computers
Jerry Pournelle holds a doctorate in psychology and is a science-fiction writer who also earns a comfortable living writing about computers present and future.
I’ve just come back from COMDEX Winter in the Los Angeles Exposition Center, where I got to play with the new AT&T computers.
Like, Wow!
When AT&T announced a computer line, there was a bit of panic on Wall Street; after the prices were announced, the excitement died away. Too expensive. Who’s worried about a computer line whose lowest-cost item is a $9950 desktop? How can that affect the micro world? That’s what many Wall Street analysts said, anyway.
Dream on.
I don’t own any computer stock—the conflict of interest is obvious—but if 1 did, I’d give that analysis a lot of thought. People, that AT&T desktop computer is one hell of a machine.
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Given that Amazon.com opened in 1995, I’d say they were a bit optimistic.
By The Year 2000,The World May Catch Up With The Way CompuServe’s New Electronic Mall Lets You Shop today.
Introducing the first computer shopping service that brings you convenience, savings and enjoyment Here’s your chance to expand the practical uses of your personal computer.
Sign up for CompuServe and shop in our new Electronic Mall. It’s easy to use It tells you more about the products you’re buying. It lets you order faster. And it’s totally unique CompuServe’s new Electronic Mall ” offers you all these shopping Innovations. Read the rest of this entry »
It does come with a one year “warrranty”. The extra “r” is for reliability!
PC Owners… Reach for Your Phone! This Winchester is Loaded… with UNIX Software
That’s right partner. Now is the time to upgrade your PC with the Sundowndisk. Includes controller. Installs right inside your PC in less than 10 minutes. Backed by our full one-year warrranty.
But that’s only half the story . . . The Sundown comes loaded with VenturCom Venix/86. This highly-acclaimed operating system is a licensed implementation of AT&Ts UNIX and is the only MULTI-USER, MULTI-TASKING UNIX environment available on the IBM PC. Read the rest of this entry »
