31–40 of 57 posts
I have the PiDP-11, assembled it myself from the kit. It was exciting for me to be able to run RSTS/E, which is one of the first operating systems I ever worked on. I only wish I had a Decwriter to physically connect to it. And visitors to my office love the blinky lights.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Applicon-DEC-Digital-PDP-11-34-Main...
http://obsolescenceguaranteed.blogspot.com/2020/02/inevitaby...
Honestly, I've always thought a high quality 3D computer model of the entire thing (including the peripherals) would serve the purpose of learning about this stuff much better; an added benefit: doesn't take space. Learning in the virtual space in general has a huge potential. Even watching educational videos (like those found in abundance on YouTube) suffices in many cases. The age of plastic toys is behind us.
Hard, hard disagree. Nothing beats learning by getting your hands on a thing.
A detailed 3D model could make it possible to zoom down to the gate level and show states propagating as the processor works - optionally with timed animations showing actual physical propagation, as opposed to an idealised logical model.
And then up to module and board level. And so on.
It would be hugely more informative than a physical panel of blinkenlights and switches.
With this or a PiDP-8, I've idly thought about learning enough to write a "terminal operating system" so one could plug it into a USB port and get a shell to a Linux or BSD system. That way it could be of actual use to the owner after playing with older operating systems loses its allure.
I have the PiDP-11, assembled it myself from the kit. It was exciting for me to be able to run RSTS/E, which is one of the first operating systems I ever worked on. I only wish I had a Decwriter to physically connect to it. And visitors to my office love the blinky lights.
If you want a DECwriter very $7K much, :) one of the photos in this current eBay listing looks like it might include one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Applicon-DEC-Digital-PDP-11-34-Main...
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Ebay and a serial USB adapter are you friends :).
Nope. 1. Decwriter terminals are very hard to come by! Haven't seen one on eBay in the years I've been searching. Look for yourself: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=decwriter&_sa... 2. Don't need a USB Serial Adapter with the PiDP-11. The PiDP-11 board will support up to 5 RS-232 ports on it: https://obsolescence.wixsite.com/obsolescence/pidp-11-connec...
Supposedly a PDP-10 (KA10) is on its way too. Although there hasn't been an update for a year or so. http://obsolescenceguaranteed.blogspot.com/2020/02/inevitaby...