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
108 lines
4.1 KiB
Markdown
108 lines
4.1 KiB
Markdown
---
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title: Actrix DS
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categories:
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- Computers
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types:
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- Transportable
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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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- Z80A - Optional Intel 8088
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params:
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name: Actrix DS
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image: /media/museum/photos/actrix_ds_1.jpg
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company: /companies/actrix
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company_name: ACTRIX
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specs:
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- label: NAME
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value: Actrix DS
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- label: MANUFACTURER
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value: Actrix
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- label: TYPE
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value: Transportable
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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: '1983'
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- label: KEYBOARD
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value: Full-stroke keyboard with numeric keypad and 15 function keys
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- label: CPU
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value: Z80A - Optional Intel 8088
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- label: CO-PROCESSOR
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value: Second Z-80A for CRT, real time clock, keyboard interface; 8741 and 8749 printer controllers, 8749 keyboard scanner
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- label: RAM
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value: 64 KB or 256 KB with the 8088 processor
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- label: ROM
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value: Unknown
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- label: TEXT MODES
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value: Full 96 ASCII upper and lower case, high resolution text characters. 7x9 character matrix in a 9x11 block with descenders
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- label: GRAPHIC MODES
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value: 64 graphic characters
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- label: COLORS
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value: Monochrome amber
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- label: SOUND
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value: Unknown
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- label: SIZE / WEIGHT
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value: 33 pounds
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- label: I/O PORTS
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value: |-
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Two RS-232C with software selectable baud rate (61-9600)\
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Parallel with Centronics compatible and bi-directional modes\
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One IEEE-488\
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Composite video out jack\
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8'' external disk drive interface (optional)
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- label: BUILT IN MEDIA
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value: 2 x 5''1/4 disk-drives (350 KB each)
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- label: OS
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value: |-
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CP/M 80, CP/M 2.2\
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With optional 8088 : CP/M 86, MS-DOS
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- label: POWER SUPPLY
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value: 95 to 135 VAC or 190 to 270 VAC, 47 to 63 Hz (110 or 240 selectable).
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- label: PERIPHERALS
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value: |-
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80 CPS bi-directional impact dot matrix: 40-80 characters per line; full graphics capability. Came with optional tractor feed.\
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MODEMS: 300-baud acoustic coupler and Direct-Connect
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- label: PRICE
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value: 3090$ (USA, november 1983)
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forum_thread: 496
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oc_id: 502
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source:
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url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230415070620/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=502
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date: '2023-04-15'
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---
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This transportable computer was originally produced by **Access Matrix Corporation**, San Jose, CA. The Company name then changed to **Actrix Corporation**. The machine was thus named [Access](/museum/access-computer/), then **Actrix**.
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It had a built-in printer (132 characters, 80 cps, using normal paper 20cm wide) and an acoustic modem (300 and 1200 baud). The rubber cups (to put the phone handset in) are located behind the printer paper.
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It also had a monochrome built-in monitor and two 5''1/4 disk-drives (360kb each).
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The Actrix DS used a Z80A processor but was also equipped with an optional Intel 8088 card for IBM-PC compatibility.
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It shipped with several software:\
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CP/M 2.2 operating Sytem\
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Microsoft M Basic (w/8088 co-processor\
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Digital Research C Basic\
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Communications\
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Perfect Writer, Perfect Speller, Perfect Filer, Perfect Calc\
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Access Font, and Access Language\
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Personal Perle\
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Money Maestro\
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Hard case or soft, padded case were optional.
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The Actrix DS was presented at the Las-Vegas Comdex in November 1983. There was another model called the **Actrix SS** with a 170k 5''1/4 disk-drive. Actrix seems to mean "ACcess maTRIX"•
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---
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**Phil** adds:\
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Lousy marketing . . . they spend big bucks promoting this great machine to the sports watchers (superbowl, etc.) and most of these guys probably still can't spell computer.\
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Also wasted money on Defending, and then loosing ACTRIX name / trademark.\
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Hooked one up to a giant 10 Meg. Hard drive (IEEE 488 port) which had to be partitioned to two 5 meg. partitions.\
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Fancy Font enabled built in Epson FX / MX 80 printer to produce almost true type output (but the screen just showed a bunch of formatting code inserted between text.
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PC compatible model, by **Frank Barberis**:\
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Actrix also produced a fully IBM compatible version. It had 9" amber screen, grey scale graphics, 24 pin dot matrix printer (Citizen), full size keyboard, 20/40 meg HDD, and 80286 processor. It weighed in about 38lbs, came with carring cloth carring case. I believe about 100 were sold.
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