New Zealand Vintage Computer Forums

After lurking on this site for a few months I thought it was time to register and join a few of the discussions. That's the 'new' part of the subject line. I've been programming computers for a living since 1966. That's the 'old' part of the subject line. It started at Reidrubber in Auckland, followed by a lengthy stint overseas, before returning to NZ 30 years ago.

Since about 1977 almost all the income side has been derived from programming embedded computers, from 4-bit chips to 32-bit processors. The spare-time, fun part has been programming for the TRS-80 and later the PC. For a number of years I subscribed to a large number of magazines, including Byte, 80-Microcomputing, Interface Age, PC World, PC Tech Journal, Computer Shopper, and numerous others. Many of them are still stored away in a shed, together with my old Model I TRS-80, but many were recycled in a move some years ago. There are also a large number of books, PC accessories, and parts lying around. One day before too long all of that will have to be given away or thrown out or sold, as the next move will be to a somewhat smaller home.

The TRS-80 is probably no longer in working condition, but I've tried reliving some of the old times with an emulator running on a PC.

-Arne

Welcome to the forums Arne!

It sounds like you have a lifetime of experience with this old iron. Having played with the emulators, are you tempted to drag out, dust off and fire up the TRS-80 Model 1? Is it a fully expanded disk-based model?

Thanks, Terry.

There would probably be too much work involved in getting the Model I working again. It was a fully loaded 48K system, except for the RS232 board. It had 2 DS/DD 80 track drives, as well as an 8" drive, an Epson MX-80 printer, running Newdos/80. There's also an EPROM programmer which was connected to the expansion connector on the expansion interface. Several hundred floppy disks are also stored in various places, but most of them are probably no longer readable. Many were given away to a collector in Christchurch (I think) in our last move about 7 years ago.

Also had a Model 4 for a while, and if I was to start playing again I'd probably start by buying a Model 4, the portable one if possible.

Yes, I have a model 4. Great machine. In fact, three machines in one really.

For some reason I was never that taken with the portable M4. I guess I just prefer the all-in-one form factor.