[Info-vax] OS implementation languages

[Johnny Billquist]

On 2023-08-26 20:25, terry-... at glaver.org wrote:
> On Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 8:51:02 AM UTC-4, bill wrote:
>> After installing MicroVMS from that box of RX50's a TK50 would be
>> like trading in a VW for a Ferrari.
> 
> Yup - expensive and requires a lot of service 8-}
> 
> I had MicroVAX II External Field Test serial #414 which came with
> a TK50 (this was the original TK50 that just had the lighted button -
> the blinking green activity LED* was still in the future). The very first
> time we tried to use it, the tape got stuck in the drive.

The story of the TK50... The tape always get stuck with a fast flashing 
red button, and no way to get it out of that state except to power cycle 
the thing, and then remove the tape by hand and rewind it into the 
cartridge by hand. The firmware was horrible, and the UI was not at all 
thought through properly.

And then you can to open the thing up and clean the heads regularly too.

But actually, with the TK70, the UI and firmware side was mostly sorted, 
and it actually can be used in a sane way. You still have the constant 
cleaning to deal with, though.

> I asked a DEC tech who happened to be on-site for some other
> issue to look at it (I had it out of the BA123 on a table). He said,
> and I quote, "DEC wouldn't make a piece of <bleep> like that".

:-)

> * DEC kept adding LEDs to subsequent models, culminating in a
> ridiculous 10 front panel LEDs in the DLT8000. And even that was
> not enough - they issued a firmware update to dual-purpose the
> "operate handle" LED when they fixed the issue of door lock
> solenoids burning out. When Quantum took over ownership of
> the product line (as opposed to just manufacturing) their first new
> design was a big departure with just 3 LEDs - ready/activity, write
> lock, and fault.

The dual purpose of the handle and LEDs on the TK50 is infuriating and 
not working. I remember that the TK85 (or whatever I looked at) had more 
LEDs, but didn't work any better than a TK70 in my experience. But as I 
said, personally, I find the TK70 to be as good as I could expect 
already. I could get it to clear the error, rewind and let me take the 
tape out when it detected some kind of error. Something the TK50 didn't 
let me do. Wasn't much beyond that that I wanted/needed. It usually 
works well enough.

   Johnny