| Operating_Systems_History A Brief History of Computer Operating Systems from the mid 1950s on. |
| Operating_Systems_Through_Time_(8-bits) A brief history of 8-bit operating systems. |
| Ten_Commandments_of_Computer_Ethics From the Computer Ethics Institute, a project of the Brookings Institution. |
| ANSI_Standard_(X3_64)_Control_Sequences For video terminals and peripherals in alphabetic order by mnemonic. |
| Motorola_Embedded_Communications_Computing CompactPCI, VME, and industrial embedded solutions. |
| Programmable_Array_Logic Encyclopedia article, with links to many related topics. |
| Wikipedia__Programmable_Logic_Device Encyclopedia article, with links to many related topics. |
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| Advanced_Computer_Service Service and repair for Apple/Mac Epson, IBM, Compaq, Tandy, clones and compatibles. |
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| Computer_Magic Offers repair, upgrade and technical support for the Whistle IBM Interjet. |
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| Computing_Net Centralizing technical support for all operating systems and all computer types in one location. |
| C&S_Data_Services Designs, installs, maintains and repairs Novell and Windows NT computer networks (utilizing wireless technologies, fiber optics, and ethernet switches) for commercial users, including health care prov |
| Data_Genius_Company_Ltd_ A multi-vendor of computer service provider in Hong Kong. |
| DeBug-It Using state-of-the-art equipment and talented A-class technicians to help get home computer systems up and running. |
| EmaJination Provides on-site help desk and PC support services. |
| ETC_Support Specializing in SUN computers and servers. |
| Europarts European distributor of printer and computer spare parts and notebook batteries and AC adapters. |
| GeeksOnTime_com Computer repairs and upgrades, with online assistance. |
| Guardian_Computer_Support Global provider of computer services including on-site maintenance, repair and installation. |
| HiTech_Solutions Resource for Computers and PC Parts. |
| House_Calls_for_Home_Computers Service, repair and training for home computer users in the Orange County, CA. area. Hardware and software experts. |
| Jensen_Information_Technologies_ Internet and computer solutions provider. Offers many services, including computer repair, and hardware upgrades. |
| KrystalBox_Technologies,_Inc_ Linux open source solutions, support and service. |
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| Obsolete_Computer_Helpline Information and or parts for old or obsolete computers. |
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| Priority_1_Computer_Service Repairs systems, provides upgrades, technical support, custom design computers. Serving all Vancouver Island, BC. |
| Segura_Solutions Independent services for enterprise anti-virus solutions. |
Welcome!
I built my first H8 system — a hardware unit like the one to the right — sometime in late 1979. It eventually had 56K of RAM, three double-sided disk drives, an H-19 terminal and a Xerox Diablo daisy-wheel printer. The system lasted some ten or eleven years before the H8 "blew smoke" and died.
I built my second H8, this one a software emulation, the subject of this web site, starting in early 2001. I expect a bit more than eleven years of life from this H8!
When I started this project I had a set of goals:
preserve the look, feel, and operation of the front panel;
run the HDOS 1.6 and 2.0 operating systems, unmodified (including, though I didn't remember it at the time, HUG's replacement H-17 disk driver);
provide an emulated H-19 terminal, H-17 disk system, serial ports and other standard hardware;
run most user-written HDOS programs;
allow access to the Macintosh modem and printer.
The overall goal was that, with few
limitations,
a program running inside the H8 emulator would not know the difference between the emulator and a real H8 / H-17 / H-19 environment.
These goals have been met and, in many ways, surpassed. For example, I didn't expect to be able to run the disk diagnostic program, TEST17, but in fact it runs great and gives good (though pointless) results.
My other, personal, goal was to teach myself Macintosh programming. I'd written code for the Apple IIgs and was very familiar with the concepts. But there are many differences; in fact, the Mac toolbox interface is, in many ways, much more basic and crude than that in GS/OS. Regardless, the H8 emulator is not your typical Macintosh program, and I think that I've squeezed about all the Macintosh programming knowledge I'm going to squeeze out of this particular project.
The project is, for all intents and purposes, complete with release 5.3.2 of the emulator. Any remaining bugs will be fixed as they are found, but the feature set is complete. More than complete, if you consider the user convenience features added in the 5.2 release series. If I go any further along these lines, it will no longer be an H8!
If there is any more H8 software I should be carrying in the
HDOS Utilities
subpage, please let me know what it is and where I might get it. I've reorganized the site a bit and have room for more software. And if I can swing it, I'd like to get the HDOS source code and distribute it through this site. Watch this space.
Anyway, please have a look around the site — I'd recommend especially the
design
and
help
sections. And why not
download
the emulator and give it a try! As you will see on the
release
and
legal
pages, the emulator is being distributed as freeware.
Thanks for visiting, and Enjoy!
Dave Shaw
Heath8080A Project
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© 2001, 2002, 2003 by David A. Shaw. Please see the legal page for details.
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