Post B6qWrUFx4MygVXd3xo by fluidlogic@oldbytes.space
 (DIR) More posts by fluidlogic@oldbytes.space
 (DIR) Post #B6qWrTAx5TNt9kHYX2 by fluidlogic@oldbytes.space
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       In retrospect, it's completely incredible that apparently not for a moment did the team behind the 1981 UK Computer Literacy Project consider a non-British-built computer as the project's flagship.That's not a criticism; it's an acknowledgment of how vibrant the UK computer manufacture scene was at the time. The BBC asked seven different British computer manufacturers to make a pitch.In the context of the current talk about data sovereignty and looming technofascism, the choice to wind down the British computer industry (in the name of efficiency?) seems shortsighted.Alison Gazzard, "Now the Chips Are Down", MIT Press Platform Studies series, 2016.#history #retrocomputing #industry #sovreignty
       
 (DIR) Post #B6qWrTmWplRT2HrZ6O by amoroso@oldbytes.space
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       @fluidlogic The diversity and vibrance of the computer market at the time, not just in the UK, is something newer generations probably can't understand.
       
 (DIR) Post #B6qWrUFx4MygVXd3xo by fluidlogic@oldbytes.space
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       @amoroso yes! You sent me off to Wikipedia to find and share the page which is the list of European computer manufacturers - only to discover there's no such page!Off the top of my head with input from wonderful Mastodonians: Experimental machines and one-offs:Austria: Mailüfterl (Technische Universität Wien)UK: Pilot ACE (National Physical Laboratory)Netherlands: ARRA (Mathematisch Centrum)1950s to 1990s, European minis and mainframes:Bulgaria: IZOT series...Denmark: RegnecentralenFrance: Bull...Germany: Zuse, Siemens, Robotron...Italy: Olivetti...Netherlands: ElectrologicaNorway: Norsk DataUK: Lyons, Elliot, Ferranti,  ICL...1970s to 1990s European microcomputers:Austria: MUPIDFinland: MikroMikkoFrance: Thomson...Germany (East): RobotronGermany (West): Don't mention the war.Netherlands: Tulip, PhilipsSweden: Dataindustrier, Luxor, Svenska Datorer, TeleNovaUK: Too many to list!Additions welcome! Please boost!
       
 (DIR) Post #B6qWrUlr9kUy6UYXh2 by mirabilos@toot.mirbsd.org
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       @fluidlogic @amoroso Schneider Rundfunkwerke
       
 (DIR) Post #B6qWrV8BoiMZDl0NVI by fluidlogic@oldbytes.space
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       Reading a bit more, I find this unsourced claim on Wikipedia:BBC Engineering was instructed to attempt to draw up an objective specification for a machine that the [computer literacy project] could be tailored to, and under pressure from the [Department of Trade and Industry], they wanted to choose a UK-built system. The market provided few alternatives, so the BBC specification was closely written around the NewBrain specification with the expectation they would bid on the project.Instructed by whom? The DTI? BBC management? The article is unclear on that.If anyone has better information, let me know!https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grundy_NewBrain
       
 (DIR) Post #B6ql8C8P672SaLxYZ6 by fluidlogic@oldbytes.space
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       @mirabilos @amoroso thanks! Added!The Schneider machines were built under license from Amstrad, weren't they? (I'm including machines built under license.)Do you know where Schneider got the BIOSes for their later PC clones?
       
 (DIR) Post #B6ql8CJ2SZXt7Kw38q by mirabilos@toot.mirbsd.org
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       @fluidlogic @amoroso I think the pre-PC ones were Amstrad, and rather widespread, but I had an EURO PC, and later an EURO XT, etc.I’m fairly sure they did a large part of the BIOS themselves, it’s unique in that it is available in several languages and even changes the keyboard layout, eliminating the need for DOS KEYB.COM. They also have their own branded MS-DOS 3.30A version, mine on beautiful dark blue discs but I’ve also seen grey and other ones later.