[OT] RE: re Linux or NT?

[Hugo Rabson <hugo rabson zetnet co uk>]

BBC Microcomputer Model B, with 32Kb of RAM (upgraded from 16Kb)...
I used it to figure out a WW2 code system used by PoW's to send secret
messages home. (The chap who set me the challenge had forgotten the
system.) It was my first experience of brute-force cryptanalysis.

On 31-Dec-98 John Lewis wrote:
>> "Donovan R. Palmer" wrote:
>> 
>> > On 30 Dec 98 at 16:06, "Toby Herring" <therring syncroflo com> wrote:
>> >
>> > > My first real personal computer was an 8088, and cost more then
>> > > than a P-II 400 costs now. I had a whole meg of RAM and TWO 5-1/4"
>> > > floppy drives (no HDD, we weren't rich, you know.)  And even though
>> > > I was programming at the time (in high school) my personal computer
>> > > was used almost exclusively for playing games.
>> >
>> > That brings back some memories!  Then our lab bought one 286 and we
>> > were so impressed at it's power and speed.  What did we use it for?
>> > Number crunching?  Solving some great problem?  Nah!  We spent more
>> > time running a helicopter simulation game on it more than anything!
>> > <g>
>> 
>> I know this is off the topic, but it definitely brings back memories.
>> 
>> Hmm..  1 MB on a 8088 ??   I didn't even know that 8088's could have 1MB
>> of
>> RAM. We were using XT's in our computer lab in college and I bought my
>> first
> 
> I still have an IBM PC, that has only 16K on the mother board, but has an
> add-in
> card to take it up to 384K (I think, it is a while since I looked at it.
> 
>  
>> Wow... All that for only about $8,000.00!!  What a deal...  The third
>> day I
>> had it, I had taken it all apart and installed a Megahertz Turbo Switch
>> which
>> allowed me to run at 8,10 or 12 MHz!!  A couple of weeks later I
>> installed an
>> AST EMS Memory Board with 2 MB's of RAM.  The RAM only cost me about
>> $700.00
>> then.  Later I installed a 2400 Baud Hayes modem, another $450.00 ... 
>> But
>> boy.. Was it an awesome system!
>> 
> I only added a  clock cum I/O card a 286 upgrade and a 32Mb HardCard to
> mine,
> with only 5 slots it was a bit limited. Though I think you could add
> another
> base unit to give more slots. 
> 
>> Hey, anyone remember DesqView ??
>> 
> Yep! Worked well too with PC-Dos. Probably still have a copy up in the
> attic
> with the PC. Not as good as Concurrent CP/M though for multitasking.
> 
>> Thanks for helping to bring back some memories...  Anyway, enough of my
>> reminiscing...
>> 
> Happy New year to all
> 
> John Lewis
> 
> 
> 
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----------------------------------------------
E-Mail: Hugo Rabson <hugo rabson zetnet co uk>
Date: 01-Jan-99         Time: 22:58:37
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