Date   : Thu, 12 Apr 1990 14:39:39 GMT
From   : bbn.com!gonzalez@bbn.com (Jim Gonzalez)
Subject: No-Slot Clock - Followup

Thanks to those who responded to my inquiry about the No-Slot Clock.
Armed with the information received, I made a few phone calls.

The No-Slot Clock is a device designed to be inserted between a ROM
and its socket.  It is distributed by SMT, which bundles the device
with software for use on PC's and Apples.  The device is, in fact, 
a Dallas Semiconductor SmartWatch, sold under an agreement with the 
manufacturer.  The SMT package includes the documentation needed to
write one's own driver.  They know of people getting it to work on
Commodore and Atari computers.  It is a 28-pin device, but is meant
to be work in 24-pin sockets as well with some simple jumpering.

I contacted two suppliers of the SMT package:

       Carlisle Computer               Central Computer Products
       959 Hill Road                   330 Central Avenue
       Las Cruces, NM 88005            Fillmore, CA 93015
       800-333-2566                    805-524-4189

The man I spoke to at Carlisle seemed to have a little more on the ball.
They advertise the package in the Computer Shopper for $39 plus $7 s&h.
Anticipated cost: $46.

The man I spoke to at Central guessed that they charged $69.  According
to Chuck Fuller's recent posting,  they last advertised it for $49.  The
March Computer Shopper has an ad from Central, but no mention of the NSC.
They indicate, however, that shipping is $4.50.  Anticipated cost: $53.50


Based on price and responsiveness, I am leaning toward Carlisle.  Has
anyone dealt with them before?  Did I catch Central on an "off" day?

By the way, the number for Dallas Semiconductor is 214-450-0400 (I can't
wait to see my long-distance bill :-).  They are sending me a catalog, 
which includes details on the various SmartWatch devices (they have RAM 
and ROM versions).

                               -Jim.