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
168 lines
6.8 KiB
Markdown
168 lines
6.8 KiB
Markdown
---
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title: Convergent Technologies Workslate
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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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- '1982'
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cpus:
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- Hitachi 6303
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params:
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name: Workslate
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image: /media/museum/photos/convergent_workslate_system_s2.jpg
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company: /companies/convergent-technologies
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company_name: Convergent Technologies
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specs:
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- label: NAME
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value: Workslate
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- label: MANUFACTURER
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value: Convergent Technologies
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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: December 1982
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- label: END OF PRODUCTION
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value: July 1984
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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: 61 rubber keys with numeric keypad and 5 function keys
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- label: CPU
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value: Hitachi 6303 (CMOS version of the Motorola 6800)
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- label: SPEED
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value: 1.228 MHz.
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- label: RAM
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value: 16 KB
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- label: ROM
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value: 64 KB
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- label: TEXT MODES
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value: 46 chars x 16 lines. LCD display
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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: Unknown
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- label: SIZE / WEIGHT
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value: 28 (W) x 21.5 (D) x 2.5 (H) cm. / 1.5 Kg.
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- label: I/O PORTS
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value: Telephone jack, Printer
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- label: BUILT IN MEDIA
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value: Micro-cassette drive
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- label: POWER SUPPLY
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value: 4 x AA size batteries or AC adaptor
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- label: PERIPHERALS
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value: Printer, universal peripheral adapter
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- label: PRICE
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value: '$1795 - Pen-type printer/plotter: $399'
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tabs:
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- photos
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- hardware
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forum_thread: 871
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photos:
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- title: LARGE VIEW
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subtitle: ''
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text: Thanks to **John Demian**
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image: /media/museum/photos/convergent_workslate_system_s4.jpg
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- title: RUNNING
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subtitle: ''
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text: ''
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image: /media/museum/photos/convergent_workslate_system_s3.jpg
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- title: KEYBOARD
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subtitle: ''
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text: |-
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Despite its nice and rational design the keyboard was unsuitable for an intensive typing.\
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Notice the small template on the numeric keyboard which allowed to use the numeric keypad for dialing.
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image: /media/museum/photos/convergent_workslate_keyboard_s1.jpg
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- title: KEYBOARD CLOSE-UP
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subtitle: ''
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text: ''
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image: /media/museum/photos/convergent_workslate_keyboard_s2.jpg
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- title: CONNECTORS
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subtitle: ''
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text: |-
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**(1)** Volume knob\
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**(2)** microphone and headphones jacks\
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**(3)** RJ11 plugs for telephone line and handset\
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**(4)** External AC adaptor Jack. When used stand-alone, the Workslate needs 4 AA batteries, as well as 2 button batteries for the memory backup\
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**(5)** Peripherals RJ11 plug
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image: /media/museum/photos/convergent_workslate_connectors_s1.jpg
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- title: MAIN BOARD
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subtitle: ''
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text: ''
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image: /media/museum/photos/convergent_workslate_mainboard_s1.jpg
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- title: DISPLAY BOARD
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subtitle: ''
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text: Although the board was made by Convergent, all the chips and the LCD display came from Oki in Japan.
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image: /media/museum/photos/convergent_workslate_displaycard_s1.jpg
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- title: MANUALS
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subtitle: ''
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text: The Workslate came with Three manuals and a cassette 'teach me now' holding several spreadsheet examples.
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image: /media/museum/photos/convergent_workslate_manuals_s1.jpg
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- title: CONVERGENT TASKWARES
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subtitle: ''
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text: |-
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A Taskware was a pre-formatted spreasheet dedicated to a specific use, mainly financial. It was composed of a cassette tape and a manual.\
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Here are several Taskware manuals.
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image: /media/museum/photos/convergent_workslate_manuals_s2.jpg
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- title: ACCESSORIES
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subtitle: ''
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text: |-
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Complete system with 40-column printer, universal interface and bag.\
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Were these accessories ever sold?
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image: /media/museum/photos/convergent_workslate_peripherals_1.jpg
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- title: CONVERGENT LABEL
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subtitle: ''
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text: Thanks to **John Demian**
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image: /media/museum/photos/convergent_workslate_label_s1.jpg
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hardware:
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- title: WC-100
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subtitle: Universal connection interface
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text: Thanks to **John Demian**
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image: /media/museum/hardware/convergent_workslate_connexpansion_s1.jpg
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- title: WP-100
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subtitle: 40 column printer
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text: Thanks to **John Demian**
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image: /media/museum/hardware/convergent_workslate_printer_s1.jpg
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oc_id: 891
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source:
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url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230608224140/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=891
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date: '2023-06-08'
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---
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Convergent Technologies of Santa Clara, California introduced the Worslate the same time as the Tandy [Model 100](/museum/tandy-radio-shack-trs-80-model-100-102/). Although it was about the same size of the Model 100, the Workslate was primarily a spreadsheet machine. No other software could be loaded except some application which was adaptations of the basic spreadsheet program.
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The Workslate used a CMOS version of the old 6800 processor and 16B KB of RAM. RAM size couldn't be extended and allowed a limited 720 cells spreadsheet to be filled. The keyboard with circular rubber-keys was hard-to-use for text entry. However, with its phone book, memo pad, and financial calculator, the Workslate was designed for those who only wanted a business tool and didn't want to learn about computers.
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Also built-in were a tape drive able to record and play data's or voice annotations, a 300-baud modem and a printer port.
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The Workslate was first launched in the American Express Christmas catalog, and was sold as a high-tech novelty product. But no one was interested in buying a limited spredsheet machine for $895. Convergent Technology planned to sell 200,000 units within a year, but only 5,000 systems were sold in the U.S.A plus some hundreds in Europe. The product was discontinued in July 1984, and the company lost about $15 million.
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If you notice the keyboard has a "DoIt" key. The President of the fledgling company Allen Michaels used to roam the halls of the company at night and spray paint "DoIT" everywhere, hence the key name.
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**John Demian** from Modesto, California had the good luck to find a complete Workslate system and sent us the Convergent references for all the peripherals and Taskware he found:\
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WorkSlate # WK-100\
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MicroPrinter # WP-100\
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Comm Port # WC-100 (has a Parallel and Serial interface for external printers.)\
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Teach Me Now Tape # TW-120
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WorkSlate Reference Guide # 09-00279-01 - 11/83\
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Travel # 09-00385-00 - 11/83\
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Loan Analysis # 09-00387-00 - 11/83\
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Portfolio Analysis # 09-00388-00 - 11/83\
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Financial Statements # 09-00390-00 - 11/83\
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Cash Management # 09-00391-00 - 11/83\
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Real Estate # 09-00729-01 - 3/84\
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Electronic Information Services # 09-00735-01 - 3/84
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---
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**Contributors:** John Demian, Ken Wood
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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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