Date   : Mon, 19 Sep 1988 14:05:32 GMT
From   : edsews!peter@uunet.uu.net (Peter Zadrozny)
Subject: Z-80 Unix?

In article <278@pte.UUCP>, car@pte.UUCP (Chris Rende) writes:
> Does anyone know anything about Unix running on a Z-80?

Years ago I worked with a series of Cromemco computers,
they where Z-80 S-100 based machines and ran Cromix as
their operating system. Cromix was a pretty good implementation
of Unix even with the limitations imposed by the CPU.
The requirements were one 64K bank for the OS and
one 64K bank for every user (process). The multi-tasking
multi-processing was achieved by bank switching. It was interesting
to be able to run WordStar and dBase II in a "Unix" environment
(since it had a CP/M emulator which resided on the top 3K of the
corresponding bank). More interesting was experiencing the
power a 4MHz Z-80 handling with little visible effect one
secretary hacking the keyboard with WordStar, one clerk
running a dBase II application, and myself compiling little
C monsters. They also had a very good Basic compiler as well
as a Basic based OS (a la RSTS-11).

I do believe that Cromemco is still in business (I saw somebody
in the SF Usenix sporting a badge with their name). They are based
in Mountain View. BTW, most of the computerized TV weather reports
use Cromemco Z-80 machines.

 Peter Zadrozny                    | UUCP:  ...!uunet!edsews!peter
 Electronic Data Systems    |        peter@edsews.EDS.COM
 1400 N. Woodward Av.      | Voice: +1 313 645-4725
 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48013 | Fax:   +1 313 645-4824


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