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Gifts for an Eight-Bit Holiday

Continued from page 1

By Evan Koblentz

Friday, December 15, 2006

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Those who really love to tinker might prefer an Altair. Featured on the now-famous cover of the January 1975 issue of Popular Electronics, the Altair is often cited as the machine that started the personal-computing revolution. Bill Gates and Paul Allen worked with Altair before they launched their Albuquerque startup company Microsoft. Briel Computers is taking preorders for its AltairPC, a PC case that makes a typical desktop computer look just like a 1975 MITS Altair 8800. Collector Rich Cini also makes Altair-style PC covers, but Cini's is a front-panel cover with a plug-in board that connects the panel to your PC. Download the free Altair32 emulator software, and you can explore the original functionality. A full-scale, fully operational version of the Altair will soon be available through Grant Stockly. That kit isn't officially priced yet, but it won't surpass $1,700, Stockly says.

For something a little more exotic, you could give someone a fully electronic $235 Enigma-E or a $10 Paper Enigma, the latter being well suited for children. Both can make and break codes with historical accuracy. Also good for children is the Digi-Comp I v2.0, which costs just $55. It's an amazing computational trainer that anyone can build in an afternoon.

Tore Bekkedal, a collector from Oslo, Norway, says the various replicas are good news for common hobbyists like him. "They replicate not only the fascinating technology, but also the tinker spirit," he says. "It also helps preserve the software and the knowledge of how to work it."

Comments

  • IMSAI 8080
    Please let's not forget the lesser-known, but equally capable IMSAI 8080. I built one of these during my junior year of high school in 1975 (I think). The front panel was gorgeous. Too bad I didn't know about investing back then. http://www.obsoletecomputermuseum.org/imsai/
    It looks like you might be able to buy one here:
    http://www.imsai.net/
    Rate this comment: 12345

    jfreidin
    12/15/2006
    Posts:3
  • Fast Payday Loans for "Gifts for an Eight-Bit Holiday"
    The holidays are just around the corner, and I know I will only be using fast payday loans if it’s absolutely necessary. Like whiskers on kittens and warm woolen mittens, holiday shopping is one of my favorite things. Shopping on Black Friday is a holiday tradition for my sister and me. We wake up early, grab a latte from our local coffee shop, and head out to do battle with all the early bird shoppers. This year, things will be different. My sister and I are still going on our annual shopping spree, but I’m sure we’ll skip the latte and opt for a cup of homemade black coffee. Plus, instead of spending our money at fine department stores this year, we are going to have to stretch our dollars as far as possible because our budgets are much tighter. I think my sister and I are smart shoppers, and we’re dealing with the economy in the best way possible. We aren’t foregoing the annual Black Friday holiday shopping trip altogether because, for us, that trip is part of our holiday season. Instead, we’re embracing the quality time we get to spend together as family while being totally aware of how much we’re spending. In fact, this weekend, my sister and I are making sure we have everyone’s lists together and putting together a budget. Smart shopping and budgets should be a must for all Americans this holiday shopping season. I hope others get the opportunity to read the same smart shopping article I did. Smart shoppers have a budget and a plan. Smart shoppers also know that fast payday loans are used in emergency situations only—not for gifts. I won’t go overboard on purchases this season, but if something unexpected comes up, I will definitely consider fast payday loans to help cover costs.

    Click to read more on Fast Payday Loans
    Rate this comment: 12345

    InstallmentL...
    11/28/2008
    Posts:4

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