On The Metal

Ken Shirriff

Jan 26, 2021

Ken Shirriff, a tech enthusiast, dives into the complexity of a Soyuz spacecraft digital clock, the evolution of computer tech from IBM to Intel, and the significance of little Indian and big Indian in computing. He explores restoring the Alto computer, pre-boot networking, analog computers minig Bitcoin, and the evolution of memory technology from core to MOS memory.

01:20:36

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Ken Shirriff

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Quick takeaways

Ken Shirriff's passion for preserving computing history shines through his exploration of old computers and artifacts like the Soyuz spacecraft clock, showcasing intricate designs with over 100 chips.

Analog computers' significance in real-time applications like flight simulators is highlighted by Ken Shirriff, who delves into the unique circuitry of op amps and their accuracy challenges in the digital age.

Ken Shirriff's experiments in manual cryptocurrency mining on machines like the Xerox Alto shed light on the compatibility challenges due to decimal computing and the Xerox Alto's surprising speed in handling mining processes.

Deep dives

Ken Sureth's Fascination with Retro Computing

Ken Sureth, known for his deep interest in retro computing, discussed his journey from focusing on Sun cluster at Sun in the late 90s to delving into retro computing years later. He shared how his passion for preserving computing history led him to explore old computers and artifacts, such as the Soyuz spacecraft clock, revealing its intricate design with over 100 chips, exemplifying his dedication to preserving technological history.

Intro

2min

Deciphering the Complexities of a Vintage Digital Clock

6min

Evolution of Computer Technology and Retro Computing

16min

Understanding Little Indian and Big Indian in Computing

2min

Restoring the Alto Computer and the Origin of 80 Column Text

6min

Technical Discussions on Pre-Boot Networking and Firmware Bugs

2min

Analog Computers and Mining Bitcoin in the 1960s

16min

Evolution of Accounting Machines to Early Computers and Memory Technology Innovations

10min

Exploring Historical Machines and Lost Ideas in Technology

2min

10.

Evolution of Virtualization: Mainframes to Virtual Phones

9min

11.

Exploring Retro Computing Through eBay Finds

10min

You can find Ken on Twitter at twitter.com/kenshirriff and his blog righto.com.

- Soyuz blog post:

http://www.righto.com/2020/01/inside-digital-clock-from-soyuz.html

- IBM System/370: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_System/370

- Amdahl: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amdahl_Corporation

- Build Your Own Z80 Computer:

https://books.google.com/books?id=mVQnFgWzX0AC&pg=PA1#v=onepage&q&f=false

- Euler: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonhard_Euler

- Commodore PET: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_PET

- TRS-80 (Trash-80): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRS-80 https://techland.time.com/2012/08/03/trs-80/

- Visual 6502: http://www.visual6502.org/

- MOS 6502: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOS_Technology_6502

- Metallurgy microscope: https://www.amscope.com/compound-microscopes/metallurgical-microscopes.html

- AM2900: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMD_Am2900

- MOS transistor: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOSFET

- Cray-1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cray-1

- Intel 4004: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_4004

- Datapoint 2200: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datapoint_2200

- Intel 8008: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_8008

- Endianness: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endianness

- TTL chips: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transistor%E2%80%93transistor_logic

- Big Endian and Little Endian:

https://chortle.ccsu.edu/AssemblyTutorial/Chapter-15/ass15_3.html

- Xerox Alto: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xerox_Alto

- Charles Simonyi: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Simonyi

- Punched cards: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punched_card

- Why did line printers have 132 columns?:

https://retrocomputing.stackexchange.com/questions/7838/why-did-line-printers-have-132-columns

- Teletype 33: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teletype_Model_33

- Analogue computer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog_computer

- Analogue computer thread: https://twitter.com/kenshirriff/status/1223675683387265024

- Differential analyser: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Differential_analyser

- Bitcoin mining on a 1401:

http://www.righto.com/2015/05/bitcoin-mining-on-55-year-old-ibm-1401.html

- Mining bitcoin with pencil and paper: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3dqhixzGVo

- Bitcoin mining on a Xerox Alto:

http://www.righto.com/2017/07/bitcoin-mining-on-vintage-xerox-alto.html

- Bitcoin mining on the Apollo Guidance computer:

http://www.righto.com/2019/07/bitcoin-mining-on-apollo-guidance.html

- Colossus computer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colossus_computer

- Accounting machine: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accounting_machine

- Memory phosphor: https://www.britannica.com/science/memory-phosphor

- Rowhammer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Row_hammer

- Core memory: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic-core_memory

- Williams tube: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Williams_tube

- Core rope memory: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Core_rope_memory

- Honeywell 800: https://people.cs.clemson.edu/~mark/h800.html

- Honeywell 1800: https://www.computerhistory.org/brochures/doc-4372956da1170/

http://ed-thelen.org/comp-hist/BRL64-h.html#HONEYWELL-1800

- SPARC delayed branching:

https://arcb.csc.ncsu.edu/~mueller/codeopt/codeopt00/notes/delaybra.html

- IBM 360 Model 50: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_System/360_Model_50

- RR Auction: https://www.rrauction.com/

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On The Metal

Ken Shirriff

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Ken Sureth's Fascination with Retro Computing

Analog Computers and Patch Panels

Mining Cryptocurrency Across Historic Machines

Legacy Accounting Machines and Program Boards

Evolution of Computer Technology

Preservation of Computer History and Legacy

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On The Metal

Ken Shirriff

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Ken Sureth's Fascination with Retro Computing

Analog Computers and Patch Panels

Mining Cryptocurrency Across Historic Machines

Legacy Accounting Machines and Program Boards

Evolution of Computer Technology

Preservation of Computer History and Legacy

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Discoverhighlights

Save anymoment

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