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Altair Computer Notes Volume Two

An amazingly kind eBay seller threw in this manual with my Altair 8800b system and this turned out to be a bonanza. A MITS publication detailing early user experience articles in topics such as Small Computer Networking (the first network of PCs ever?), Altair Implementation in the Graphic Arts (the first PC desktop publishing?), Mailbox (the first email for PCs?), and Altair Polka (MIDI before MIDI?). All of these articles are from the 1976-77 period presumably about work from 1975 onwards. This binder was undoubtely used as a sales tool on the road (perhaps with the mits RV tours). A wonderful look into Computer History!

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Cover of the binder

Enjoy.. click on the pages to see full sized views.

Cover and Table of Contents

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Cover for Computer Notes volume two
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Table of Contents

Story: Small Computer Networking -
BIG STUFF
(perhaps the first computer network done on a
real personal computer)

computer-networking1.jpg
Small Computer Networking -
BIG STUFF

By Bob Matthews (Dec 1976)
computer-networking2.jpg
second page of Networking

programs even share altair
resources over the network!

Story: Altair Implementations in the Graphics Arts
(eight years before PostScript and the Macintosh)



See Barry Yarkon's story of this article here

graphics-arts1.jpg
ALTAIR in the Graphic Arts

By Barry J Yarkon (Nov 1976)
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Graphic Arts
graphics-arts3.jpg
Output on a optical pagesetter

Story: Mailbox
Possibly the first wireless messaging (via HAM radio)
ever done with personal computers


mailbox1.jpg
Mailbox implementation


By David Le Jeune (Nov 1976)
mailbox2.jpg
mailbox2.jpg

the Mailbox program, surprisingly
small and efficient for a 45 baud radio
connection. Hows that for 30
years ago?

Story: BASIC Goes Bach with the Altair Polka
Wendy Carlos eat your heart out!

polka1.jpg
Altair Polka, BASIC goes Bach

By Doug Jones (Jan-Feb 1977)
polka2.jpg
polka2.jpg

polka3.jpg
Code for Polka

Other MITS/Altair Resources at the DigiBarn and around the web:


Altair 8800 System


See also our MITS@40 Celebration


The Virtual Altair Museum

 

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