yann64andClaude Opus 5.5
b274874139
1,289 discussions, 9,527 archived comments; pages no longer carry the comments themselves. Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 <noreply@anthropic.com> Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_01YDRjtmAiNpo5mK5N3d7QwZ
94 lines
4.1 KiB
Markdown
94 lines
4.1 KiB
Markdown
---
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title: Gavilan
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categories:
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- Computers
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types:
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- Portable
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origins:
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- U.S.A.
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years:
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- '1983'
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cpus:
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- Intel 8088
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params:
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name: Gavilan
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image: /media/museum/photos/gavilan_system_1.jpg
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company: /companies/gavilan
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company_name: GAVILAN
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specs:
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- label: NAME
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value: Gavilan
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- label: MANUFACTURER
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value: Gavilan
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- label: TYPE
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value: Portable
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- label: ORIGIN
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value: U.S.A.
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- label: YEAR
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value: June 1983
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- label: END OF PRODUCTION
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value: '1985'
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- label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
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value: None
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- label: KEYBOARD
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value: Full stroke 59-key with numeric keypad + 9-key touch panel
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- label: CPU
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value: Intel 8088
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- label: SPEED
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value: 5 MHz
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- label: RAM
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value: |-
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32 KB (later 64 KB) - Up to 4 x 32 KB RAM modules - Optional 128 KB RAM card\
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Total maximum RAM of 320 KB
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- label: VRAM
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value: Unknown
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- label: ROM
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value: 48 KB - Holds Operating System and user interface routines
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- label: TEXT MODES
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value: 66 chars. x 8 lines
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- label: GRAPHIC MODES
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value: Unknown
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- label: COLORS
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value: Monochrome
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- label: SOUND
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value: Beeper
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- label: SIZE / WEIGHT
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value: 11.4 (W) x 11.4 (D) x 2.7 (H) ins / 9 pounds + 4 pounds printer
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- label: I/O PORTS
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value: Built-in 300-baud modem, printer, disk drive, RAM expansion, Serial RS232, Video
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- label: BUILT IN MEDIA
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value: 3'' 320 KB built-in floppy disc drive. Optional 2nd. external FDD unit
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- label: OS
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value: GOS and MS-DOS
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- label: POWER SUPPLY
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value: 10 x rechargeable batteries and AC adaptor
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- label: PERIPHERALS
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value: 50 cps thermal-transfer printer, External FDD + 128 KB RAM, 32 KB RAM modules
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- label: PRICE
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value: $3995 - Printer $1000
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tabs:
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- photos
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forum_thread: 858
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photos:
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- title: GAVILAN DESKTOP
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subtitle: ''
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text: File drawer (top) and zoom command (bottom) that encloses the part of the document that will be displayed on the screen if user taps the touch pad.
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image: /media/museum/photos/gavilan_screenshot_1.jpg
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oc_id: 877
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source:
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url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230605035851/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=877
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date: '2023-06-05'
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---
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The Gavilan, along with its optional thermal transfer printer that clipped onto the back, fitted in a standard-size attaché case. It was a true 16-bit laptop computer conceived by John Zepecki, Gaviland's director of hardware engineering. It featured a 8-line LCD screen and was powered by either an AC adaptor or 10 half-D rechargeable batteries with 8 hours autonomy.
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The 48 KB ROM held the Gavilan **GOS** (Graphic Operating System) kernel, a FORTH-like interpreter and a desktop manager software with graphic windows, drawers, folders and documents hierarchy.
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The Operating System itself was written in Forth and supervised by John Banning, chief of the Gaviland's software development team. Most of the graphical environment was managed through an innovative touch panel located above the keyboard and intended to compete with first mouse driven systems. By moving his fingertip across this panel, the user moved a pointer and could invoke various actions by tapping one of the eight button areas.
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Gavilan developed several software that took advantage of the GOS interface, a word processor, a spreadsheet, communication and mail utilities. The system could run MS-DOS OS as well.
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Despite numerous innovations, the Gavilan always suffered from hardware and software problems. Furthermore, it was not fully PC-compatible. Many changes have been made to the initial machine and first sales only started in June of 1984, one year after the machine was first announced. A 16-line display version was also produced. At this time, competiton became harder and the Gavilan couldn't compete with new Japanese portable generation (i.e. the [Sharp PC-5000](/museum/sharp-pc-5000/)). The Gavilan production thus stopped definitively in 1985 and the company failed.
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<table> <tr> <td></td> <td>We need more info about this computer ! If you designed, used, or have more info about this system, please send us pictures or anything you might find useful.</td> <td></td> </tr> </table>
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