Juergen

Full speed null modem cable for EPSON HX-20

To transfer software for the EPSON HX-20 from the PC, a so-called null modem cable is required. These cables usually have 9 pin D-Sub connectors at both ends. Therefore it is necessary to cut such a cable in the middle to solder a round 8 pin DIN connector to the open end.

For the HX-20 there are basically two variants for a data transmission cable. The simple variant requires only 3 cable wires, but has the disadvantage that no handshake or data flow control is possible. Ergo, only a low transfer rate is possible. I already presented such a simple cable here some time ago.

Here I now describe the more complex variant of a null modem cable, which is also suitable for higher transmission rates with data flow control. This allows a much more stable connection between PC and HX-20.

Wessi goes east: How I got to know the Robotron PC 1715

*Wessi [‘wes-see] is the flippant term for a West German citizen.

“With the production of the personal computer 1715 the VEB Robotron Büromaschinenwerk Ernst Thälmann Sömmerda makes an important contribution to the realization of the decisions of the XI party congress of the SED. By realizing the commitment of the office machine workers to provide the national economy with 10,000 personal computers in addition to the plan by the end of 1986, the acceleration of scientific-technical progress for the intensification of national economic processes and the increase of labor productivity is effectively supported.”

Source: Handbook “The Personal Computer 1715”, Publisher: VEB Kombinat Robotron, several authors, ISBN 3-349-00231-5, Issue: 1986/1987).

That’s how it was in the GDR back then! The leadership of the state power, the Unity Party SED of the German Democratic Republic, submitted a plan every five years in which it was determined what was to be developed and produced in the factories of the East German combines. Of course, the importance of computer technology was also recognized in the former Eastern Bloc, which included the then GDR, and so the company very soon began its own developments in this area.

The underdog of 1977 Trinity

The Story of the Tandy RadioShack
TRS-80 Model 1

In 1977, three computers came onto the market in the U.S.: the Apple II, the Commodore PET and the Tandy TRS-80. While Apple and Commodore were also noticed in Europe, Tandy remained largely unknown – unjustly, as this article proves. Author’s note: This article tells the story from the perspective of Germany.

My own Tandy TRS-80 Model 1 Level II from 1981, with Expansion Interface, Tape Recorder and externel Floppy Disk Drives.

The year 1977 is generally regarded as the “big bang” in the history of microcomputers — and certainly rightly so. Until then, computers were mainly something for companies, universities or government institutions. In 1977, many people began to realize that microcomputers could also find their way into many private households in the future. The clunky giant boxes of the past or the do-it-yourself kits for a handful of nerds now became affordable, compact and, for the first time, easy-to-use systems for the desktop.

Very special season greetings

The Verein zum Erhalt klassischer Computer (VzEkC – www.classic-computing.org) did a super nice Christmas campaign on the initiative of our member Helmut (axorp) by releasing a Christmas tree plug-in card for the C64 in the Classic-Computing Edition. He was supported by another member Andreas (shadow-asc).

50 years of PONG – The TV becomes a toy.

The year 2022 is the year of home computer anniversaries: As already reported, ATARI will be 50 years old, the C64 was presented to the public 40 years ago (1982). At the same time the Sinclair ZX Spectrum saw the light of day in England in the same year and the video game system Vectrex also celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2022.

However, one anniversary should certainly not be forgotten, namely the first commercial video game ever, which was released in 1972 by the American television manufacturer Magnavox together with the first home video game console Odyssey and which we know today under the name Pong.

Many actually associate Pong with Atari’s beginnings, when the young company set up the first slot machine in an arcade in California and, according to legend, the machine failed because the coin storage overflowed.

The Story of the Tandy RadioShackTRS-80 Model 1

The Story of the Tandy RadioShack
TRS-80 Model 1