From mboxrd@z Thu Jan  1 00:00:00 1970
From: Derek Fawcus <dfawcus@cisco.com>
To: 9fans@cse.psu.edu
Subject: Re: [9fans] memory stick
Message-ID: <20030530194338.G3780@edinburgh.cisco.com>
References: <3ED61D7E.1060108@proweb.co.uk> <74ded0f5bd544f58fffc3c7e0f23884a@vitanuova.com>
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In-Reply-To: <74ded0f5bd544f58fffc3c7e0f23884a@vitanuova.com>; from rog@vitanuova.com on Fri, May 30, 2003 at 02:55:19PM +0100
Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 19:43:38 +0100
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On Fri, May 30, 2003 at 02:55:19PM +0100, rog@vitanuova.com wrote:
> > >Wow! That's almost exactly my history too! Thanks for the link, it
> > >brought back many happy memories. The 380Z had the best
> > >"Software front panel" (in ROM), that I've ever seen, before or since.
> > >
> > just basic for me, I was 10/11 y.o.
> > We only got access to it outside of school hours but luckily I was the
> > only one of the 1000+ pupils interested in doing so.
>
> i also remember the 380Z with fondness (and the "J103" code...
> amazing how these things stay with you!).

You're not the only one,  we also had one at middle school.  We eventually
got a second one.

As I recall it was my first real play about with computers - that and a
PET.

I recall typing in the verion of missile command that was printed in
PCW,  also as I recall someone at school wrote a version on Joust for
it.

> i never did anything but the most redimentary programming on the 380Z
> though: BBC B's were the thing.  it still amazes me how fast BBC basic
> was, especially when i recall it used 32-bits (floating point by
> default!)  for all its arithmetic.

I seem to recall that the Beeb came out a bit later - the 380Z was at
school when I started,  the Beeb came out what a couple of years later,
since I also seem to recall wanting a ZX80/ZX81 around that time - must
have been '80/'81.

Yeah Beeb basic was 'good',  the best bit thought was the built in
assembler!

In fact I've still got my Beeb (Model A upgraded to model B so as to
save 50 quid),  kept for the express purpose of playing Elite,  thought
the last time I played Elite was on a Beeb emulator.

I guess at some point I should dig the beast out of it's box and see
if it still works...

DF