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∂30-Jun-81  1732	Masinter at PARC-MAXC 
Date: 30 Jun 1981 17:32 PDT
From: Masinter at PARC-MAXC
Subject: "interlisp on 820"
To: JRA@SU-AI
cc: Masinter

Send him a message: Pahlavan.eos@parc-maxc; the question is, who to talk to
about creating an Interlisp-compatible lisp on the Xerox 820.
--------------------------------------------
lisp/820
larry masinter suggested i send you a msg about an interlisp for the 820.

currently, i have  a healthy subset  of lisp machine  lisp running on  the
z-80 in two configurations:  (1) single bank --about  a 7090 in  capacity,
and (2)  a multibank  version --about  a 40-50KW  pdp-10 lisp  job.   both
versions run at about 1/3 a ka-10.

i'm also working on a version that  utilizes the i/o mapped screen of  the
model 2, trs-80 for a display-based editor and debugger.  since (as far as
i can determine) the 820 is quite similar in design to the model2, (except
for the bank-switching)  it occurred  to me that  the machine  would be  a
reasonable host  for  a  small  lisp, and  if  bank-switching  is/will  be
supported, a mid-sized lisp.  of course, if bit-mapped graphics were added
the 820  would be  a most  interesting  machine for  a lisp/logo  or  even
perhaps a modest smalltalk.

currently, i am teaching lisp/logo and  dashes of smalltalk in courses  at
santa clara and san jose state universities, and perhaps (uc santa  cruz);
the intention being to move this material toward the high school level.  i
do this to improve  the understanding of  computing ideas, believing  that
this family of languages offers  unique perspectives on computation.   out
of this will come  (1) a couple of  books on introductory computation  and
lisp (2) a course or two, whose  fame seems to be spreading, (as far  away
as australia), and (3) poverty.

it occurs to me that all three of the above conditions might be influenced
in a positive fashion, given the existence of the current 820, and rumored
enhancements of it. in particular, it seems to me that the existence of  a
compatible subset  of interlisp  on  a $3K  machine (820),  complete  with
course material, could aid  significantly in the sales  of a $60K  machine
(1100).  This aid could  come in possibly two  forms:  (1) an  inexpensive
teaching aid  for  prospective customers  or  for teaching  new  users  at
existing sites, or  (2) the potential  to network smaller  machines to  an
1100 and thus reduce the per user cost of an 1100 installation.

does the  proposal  for  820 interlisp  sound  attractive?   i'd  consider
language development and course material (written or video) as  reasonable
projects.  if you'd like to  pursue it, the best way  to contact me is  at
(408)353-2227 and leave a msg. larry and i are preparing a lisp course for
next week, so i'm not really available by phone at reasonable hours.   you
might also  consider  leaving  a  msg. with  larry.

					sincerely

					john allen