Hardware corner
| Published date | 01 January 1985 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/eb044641 |
| Date | 01 January 1985 |
| Pages | 38-47 |
| Author | Howard Falk |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
HARD
WARE
HOWARD
FALK
corner
Voice and data
T
hose who have an IBM/PC connected
to a telephone line and find they
frequently need to talk to the party on
the other end, as well as use the
keyboard, will appreciate the Asher
modem board. It plugs into the computer and
provides for a telephone handset that plugs
into the board.
Telephone numbers can be dialed from the
keyboard or from stored numbers. The accom-
panying software provides for access to online
databases and information services. It also has
some desktop management features like a
calendar, list of current tasks and an alarm.
The modem, handset and software sell for
$795,
and require an IBM/PC with 256K
memory. They are available from Wilcom,
Inc.
in Roswell GA.
Computer plus telephone
The ES.3 is a personal computer that runs
many software packages designed for the IBM/
PC,
and also combines voice-telephone and
computer communications.
A
cradle at the side
of the computer holds a telephone handset
which can be used, alternatively with compu-
ter data communications, when the unit
is
con-
nected to a telephone line.
The system has two keyboards; one slides in
under the other. The bottom keyboard offers
the usual IBM/PC key-functions, while the top
one is devoted to communications. With its
button-like round and square keys this key-
board provides pushbuttons for telephone dial-
ing, keys for controlling modem operation, for
one-button dialing of pre-recorded numbers,
and for other special functions the user may
desire.
One drawback is the small
9-inch
display
screen, which limits the material that can be
usefully shown to the user.
Price of the computer, with one floppy disk
drive, 128 thousand bytes of main memory,
and a 300 bit-per-second modem, is $2595,
reasonable for an IBM/PC-compatible, even
without the added telephone handset and
special keyboard. It is available from Zaisan
Inc.,
in Houston TX.
IBM/PC compatibles
The Heathkit HS-151 computer offers most of
the features of the
IBM/PC.
Its system unit will
accommodate adapter boards for the IBM
computer. And it is available either fully
assembled or in kit form; great if you have the
time and inclination to build a computer from
component parts. The kit price is a real
bargain, just $1899 for a computer with one
floppy disk drive. Assembled, the same com-
puter costs $2699. Available from the Heath
Co.
Benton Harbor MI.
Tongues, tilts and tones
When an IBM/PC compatible like the ADDS
PC becomes available, prospective buyers will
ask why they should consider this computer.
The price of an ADDS PC with 256 thousand
bytes of main memory, two floppy disk drives
and a monochrome monitor is $2650, so there
is some small advantage in price compared to
the IBM/PC. But that is the basic requirement
for bringing a compatible machine onto the
marketplace.
Apparently, what ADDS has to offer is
versions of the MS-DOS operating system with
status,
diagnostic and error messages in
languages other than English. Systems for
France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and
Finland are
available.
The ADDS
PC also
has
a
swivel and tilt mount for
its
monitor. Users can
choose green, amber or white displays, and the
equipment comes in 'earthstone' finishes.
Applied Digital Data Systems is in Hauppaauge
NY.
38 The Electronic Library, January 1985. Vol. 3, No. 1.
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