[ih] Internet nostalgia

[Clem Cole]

On Tue, Apr 22, 2025 at 12:38 PM Jack Haverty via Internet-history <
internet-history at elists.isoc.org> wrote:

>
> See https://www.ceds.dev/pidp-11 or https://www.ceds.dev/pidp-8 or
> https://www.ceds.dev/pidp-10
>
>
There is a whole set of pidp-{X} where X is 1,8,10, or 11 mailing list to
discuss Oscar's creations. And, of course, a lot of activities on the simh
mailing list, which powers them all (you can run OpenSimH.org on pretty
much anything, from VMS, Mac, Winders, or any Unix flavor that supports X11
or beyond).   On any of these mailing lists at least once a year, someone
(usually a person who did not live it) talks about wanting to bring up
either UUCP or the old ARPANET [they're is an IMP simulator in OpenSIMH
BTW].   The old guys smile, answer questions, and, typically, when the
question of what they are going to do with it finally gets considered, it
will stop.

FYI: Oscar's criteria for building a front panel, like the ones Jack
mentioned, are having fun things to do with the system.  This is why PDP-8.
then PDP-11, then PDP-10, now PDP-1.  We have been trying to build a case
for S/360 or S/370 from panel, but we have never found anything unique
besides some APL content to make a strong case for it.  There has been talk
about the IMP, but it does not have a compelling argument.  It just sits
there.  So, except for a museum where you might set up five of them running
OpenSIMH and the lights flash, we couldn't see a compelling reason to add
the front panel hardware.  If someone here can help me out, I can go back
to Oscar and make the case.

The short form is that Oscar, who still lives in Europe, has quit his 'day
job' .  He set up a factory to kit things in Panama but "ships in Florida.
He is now trying to turn these electronic kits into a small business, so I
think he's looking for ideas for new kits. IIIUIC The latest pipd-10 is now
over the break-even mark.  So he started up the pidp-1 development, which
is next, and that mailing list for it went live a week or two ago.  So I 'm
starting a rumor —   I>> think << he's hoping to have alpha kits in the
hands of a few of us in a bit, with a beta run in the winter and first
production in 2026 — but that >>me talking<< not him.

Clem

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