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Vintage Computers Any vintage computer systems, calculators, video games etc., but with an emphasis on 1980s and earlier equipment. |
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8th Oct 2021, 4:47 pm | #1 |
Hexode
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Skipton, North Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 252
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ZX81 Controls a Nuclear Power Station
You may well have seen this already but thought that it may be of interest.
The video linked below, is a ‘tongue in cheek’ look at controlling a nuclear power plant with a ZX81 and is inspired by the ZX80 marketing of the time. The software available as a .P file and .wav file can be downloaded from a link in the video description. https://youtu.be/tB6CC8UbJLU Enjoy! |
8th Oct 2021, 5:32 pm | #2 |
Guest
Posts: n/a
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Re: ZX81 Controls a Nuclear Power Station
A Z80 is more than capable of controlling a reactor, humans with knobs did it (do it?) it's the safety systems that take a lot more thought. All you have to do is turn it off and on again, not the best idea when it comes to nuclear reactors, fussy old things they are.
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10th Oct 2021, 5:28 pm | #3 |
Nonode
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Stockport, Cheshire, UK.
Posts: 2,002
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Re: ZX81 Controls a Nuclear Power Station
I remember hearing about this being one of Sir Clive's claims, possibly embellished to running a whole power station.
The later QL managed to by used by some government departments.
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10th Oct 2021, 5:43 pm | #4 | |
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 27,947
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Re: ZX81 Controls a Nuclear Power Station
Quote:
As you imply, these safety systems started off with a bloke with an axe standing by to chop through the ropes lifting the control rods. Who would argue that a ZX81 control system is less safe than that? |
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10th Oct 2021, 5:46 pm | #5 |
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 27,947
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Re: ZX81 Controls a Nuclear Power Station
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10th Oct 2021, 10:02 pm | #6 |
Nonode
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Stockport, Cheshire, UK.
Posts: 2,002
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Re: ZX81 Controls a Nuclear Power Station
That's what I was thinking of, I knew there was a computer based on the QL but made by someone else.
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15th Oct 2021, 1:04 pm | #7 |
Tetrode
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Reading, Berkshire, UK.
Posts: 51
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Re: ZX81 Controls a Nuclear Power Station
>>ICL OPDs (One Per Desk)
also sold by BT as the "BT Merlin Tonto" with (I think) different color plastics to the ICL product. https://www.computinghistory.org.uk/...-Merlin-Tonto/ Seemed like a nice idea; conceptual grandfather to the Amstrad Emailer? |