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.Sec(An α-Micro Computer System,Proposal)
The major consideration  in specifying a computer system
is to assure that the processor be powerful enough that
the software can be written rapidly and easily; the point of the exercise is not
to write mountains of special puropse software. It is also an advantage
to choose a processor whose
architecture is similar  to that of the new micro computers;
if this is done then the programs will translate easily to the new machines.
Only one current computer family fits this description: the DEC PDP-11.

The PDP-11 computer is a 16-bit machine with an excellent reputation in both 
hardware design and its software support.  A 16-bit machine gives significantly
better instruction set and performance that the current 8-bit microprocessors;
the 8-bit micro
computers are just too small to support good software development.
The new microprocessors built by Zilog (the Z-8000) and 
Motorola (the M-68000) are 16-bit machines; both 
 have many PDP-11 characteristics. I know that Zilog will soon supply a 
conversion program for translating PDP-11 programs into Z-8000 code.
Since the new processors will not be available with complete
software sytems for some time, the best way to prepare for them now
is to program for the PDP-11.

Several existing systems are based on a microprocessor version of the PDP-11.
Heathkit makes one such small system, α-Micro makes another, and a third option
is to build one's own configuration. I have enclosed a  budget based on the
α-Micro system, and am continuing to explore the other alternatives.

The α-Micro Computer System is an impressive array of hardware and
software developed for the Western Digital WD-16 micro computer,
a close relative to the DEC LSI-11. The software supplied by α-Micro
is a sufficient set from which to develop the display editor 
and the document compiler; I will write these programs.

This budget is reasonably complete, with the exception of a hardcopy
device and perhaps a paper tape punch.
.next page
.SS(Proposed Budget for an α-Micro System)

The following costs were obtained on Dec 8, 1978 from Art Dickerson,
Manager of the Micro Byte Store at 2626 Union Ave. San Jose.
(408)377-4685.

.BEGIN TABIT2(22,54)
AM-100\Cpu\$1495.
.Begin fill;single space
.indent 10,10,10
The Cpu boards implement a 16-bit processor similar to the LSI-11,
including hardware floating point. 
.end

AM-200\Floppy Disc Controller\$695.
.begin fill;single space
.indent 10,10,10
This controller uses DMA, supporting up to four drives, and use
either IBM format (256K/floppy) or α-Micro format(315K/floppy).
.end

AM-300\Six-port Serial Interface\$695.
.begin fill;single space
.indent 10,10,10
This board will support up to six terminal-like devices at rates from
75 to 19,200 baud.
.end

128Kbytes Piceon\250Ns memory\$2800.

1070 Persci Dual Disc Drive\$2000.
\Case
\Fan
.begin fill;single space
.indent 10,10,10
The CDC drives which are available on the TWIN are not compatible with
the α-Micro System. These drives were recommended by the Byte Store.
.end

.group;
Equibox\Mainframe\$800.
\Wunderbuss motherboard
\Power supply
\Fan
\Card guides
\Connectors
\\_________
\\$8485
\\   551.53 tax
\\_________
\\$9036.53
\\  200  labor (assembly and checkout)
.apart
.END


This configuration does not include a terminal, printer or punch; those
are reasonably inexpensive items.

.group skip 2
.Cent(Additonal Hardware for the Text Production Interface)

The special display processor requires three additional parts.
.begin tabit2(22,54)

Micro-Diversions\Screensplitter\$395
.begin fill;single space
.indent 10,10,10
This card supplies the  display memory (4Kbytes), the character generator
prom, and the window handling software. It generates the signals
for the video monitor.
.end

TV monitor\Sanyo 15"\~$200.
.begin fill;single space
.indent 10,10,10
.end

Keyboard\\~$200.
.begin fill;single space
.indent 10,10,10
The  Interface involves the interpretation of keycodes in non-standard
manners, using the control bit to indicate the occurrence of commands
to the system. 
.end
.end