Date : Fri, 28 Mar 1986 16:55:22 GMT
From : John Blalock <jb%terak.uucp@BRL.ARPA>
Subject: Re: WANTED CP/M SYSTEM
>
> I am looking for a CP/M system that can be run com-
> pletely from an external terminal. I want one with either
> 5.25 or 3.5 inch disks. I would also be interested in sys-
> tems that have at least two rs232 ports. That way I could
> change things around so as to avoid using the CRT. I have a
> friend who wants to hook up a braille terminal thus a CRT is
> of little use.
>
> Robert Jaquiss
>
The local Federated discount appliance stores are selling the Bondwell 12 for
$399 this week. Also included are the following software packages at no extra
cost: WordStar, MailMerge, ReportStar, CalcStar, DataStar, and CP/M 2.2.
The Bondwell 12 has a 4 MHz Z80A, 64K RAM, two SSDD 5.25" floppy disk drives
(TEC, 765 controller), a full ASCII keyboard with separate numeric keypad and
16 user-definable function keys, 9-inch amber CRT (6845), two RS232C serial
ports (Z80A SIO/8253 baud rate generator), a parallel port (6821), and speech
synthesis capability. Comes with program to allow SSDD disks in Kaypro,
Osborne, and IBM PC formats to be used. Size, weight, etc. are compatible
with the Osborne/Kaypro portables. Looks like it is a Hong-Kong Kaypro 2
clone.
It also comes with a neat speech program that lets you type in sentences which
it will then speak back to you. Can also voice annotate prepared files. The
speech is obviously computer-generated, but very understandable. Your friend
with the Braille terminal might want to try "SPEECH"ing a file instead of
"TYPE"ing it...
I need another CP/M computer about as much as a hole in the head, but in a
weak moment, I purchased one of these machines last Saturday. Only problem so
far is that no real technical info comes with the package. You do get full
manuals on all the MicroPro packages plus the latest versions of DRI's CP/M
2.2 manual and command summary booklet. The manual on the computer itself is
oriented towards the inexperienced, non-technical user. I have found that a
technical manual with schematics is available from Bondwell for $25, BIOS on
disk is $10. Even without the technical manual, I have done some sleuthing
around and have been able to modify the excellent MXO-KP43.ASM file (Kaypro
uses the Z80 SIO but a different baud rate generator) and I now have a working
overlay for MEX 1.14. (The MEX overlay also includes my USR Password stuff
and is in Z80 code so I won't post it, but will mail a copy if interested.)
Features I don't like about the machine: SSDD 5.25" disks are small, the
Bondwell format provides only 170K/disk. The feel and size of the keyboard
are less than ideal and the key layout is more like a TTY instead of the more
common VT100/Selectric layout. There is no fan in the unit and it gets
warmer than I'd like to see for extended reliability. The video display uses
a good font, with decenders, looks ADM3 compatible, but doesn't support
half-intensity.
Obviously (I hope), I have no connection with Bondwell International.
With only 2 days experience with the package, I hesitate to give it any
strong recommendation, but how can you beat it for the price?
John Blalock, W7AAY
uucp: ...{noao,decvax,savax,ihnp4,seismo}!terak!jb
phone: (602) 998-4800
us mail: CalComp Display Products Division (formerly Terak Corporation)
14151 N. 76th St., Scottsdale, AZ 85260