Date   : Fri, 08 Jun 1984 11:00:52-CDT
From   : John Otken <CC.Otken@UTEXAS-20.ARPA>
Subject: Re: Ferguson Big Board info wanted

>   I have been told to look into a FBB.  I can't seem to find one even
> in Byte.  If anyone out there has any info on a FBB system, please let
> me know.  Is it worth my money, if I don't plan to expand beyond a
> printer and a modem?  About how much does the board, case, power
> supply and two 8" DDDS (or if needed DDSS) drives cost?  Second, I
> have the option of buying a terminal board and adding a keyboard to
> it, but I can't see how that's going to save much.  Where can I get a
> good new/used 24x80 terminal w. green screen and full * properly
> arranged * keyboard.  (I don't care about keypads or function keys if
> they cause the terminal to be $600. Anything in the $300-$450 range?

Take a bit of advice..  Quit nickel and dime(ing) when it comes to the
purchase of computer equipment..  A Big Board is a good deal because
something similar (but configured) is going to cost at least $1000
more, but the difference between a $400 and $800 dollar terminal is
the difference between junk and quality.  I highly recommend either a
Heathkit H-29 (kit) or Zenith Z-29 (assembled).  If you locate a 10%
discount coupon from Heathkit you can get the H-29 for ~$600.  It will
take you aprox 30 hrs to build.  I don't know of a better terminal
around for the money (anyone else have an opinion?).

As for the cost of a Big Board system:

Big Board II           $600    (Cal-Tex unkit, assembled ~$800)
Power Supply           $200    (Ferguson UPS 5-200)
Case                   $200    (tricky to find a good one)
3 Siemans FD100-8s     $400    (Priority 1, 2 production + 1 spare)
Monitor                        $150    (I have seen them for $25-$60 w/o case)
Keyboard               $125    (Jameco, not recommended but only 1 I know)
-or- H-29              $650
XEBEC                  $350    (Kieruff or $425 from Priority 1)
5 meg ST-506           $500    (seen them for as low as $300)
Misc + Cables          $200
CP/M w/ CBIOS          $150    (Cal-Tex)
Micro Cornucopia       $15     (A must for serious BB hackers)
256k Memory board      $50     (Ferguson, only for hardware hackers)
3 sets of 8 64k chips  $200    (CompuAdd sells 9@$59 w/ 1 yr warranty)

Check Micro Corn, Microsystems or Computer Shopper for BB ads.  There
are plenty of ways to cut the above cost even further (e.g., get a
cheaper linear power supply as opposed to the switcher listed above;
build your own case; shop around for misc bargains in Computer
Shopper).  Moral: Substitue back work for bucks.  The more back the
less bucks.  John Otken.