hi-res - im stroked to be alive

--
Computers
&
Disabilities
History
The following pages are from wiki. I have vetted them and concur. I was to scribe my
own but because this is done so well, why stab away one fingered for weeks only to
repeat it. I have reproduced it by permission by way of their t&c’s.
I think it’s important to understand what led up to the 80/90’s computer revolution. I
have pruned large sections of print & amended others.
Note: Dates and pricing are in US dollars. Other countries will vary widely. New Zealanders
consider these points:
Dates will vary up to 3-5 yrs later
Exchange rates should be taken back then, not today’s. A guide is 1.5x.only factors exchange
rate at the time not inflation.
Computers became affordable for the general public in the 1970s due to the mass production of
the microprocessor starting in 1971. Early microcomputers such as the Altair 8800 had front-mounted
switches and blinking lights to control and indicate internal system status, and were often sold in kit form to
hobbyists. These kits would contain an empty printed circuit board which the buyer would fill with
the integrated circuits, other individual electronic components, wires and connectors, and then handsolder all the connections.
[14]
While two early home computers (Sinclair ZX80, and Acorn Atom) could be bought either in kit form or
assembled, most home computers were only sold pre-assembled. They were enclosed in plastic or metal
cases similar in appearance to typewriter or hi-fi equipment enclosures, which were more familiar and
attractive to consumers than the industrial metal card-cage enclosures used by the Altair and similar
computers. The keyboard - a feature lacking on the Altair - was usually built into the same case as
the motherboard. Ports for plug-in peripheral devices such as a video display, cassette tape
recorders, joysticks, and (later) disk drives either were built-in or available on expansion cards. Although
the Apple II series had internal expansion slots, most other home computer models' expansion
arrangements were through externally accessible 'expansion ports' that also served as a place to plug in
cartridge-based games. Usually the manufacturer would sell peripheral devices designed to be compatible
with their computers as extra cost accessories. Peripherals were not often interchangeable between different
brands of home computer, or even between successive models of the same brand.
To save the cost of a dedicated monitor, the home computer often would connect through an RF
modulator to the family TV set, which served as both video display and sound system.
[15]
After the success of the RadioShack TRS-80, the Commodore PET and the Apple II in 1977, almost every
manufacturer of consumer electronics rushed to introduce a home computer. Large numbers of new
machines of all types began to appear during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Mattel, Coleco, Texas
Instruments and Timex, none of which had any previous connection to the computer industry, all had shortlived home computer lines in the early 1980s. Some home computers were more successful—the BBC
Micro, Sinclair ZX Spectrum, Atari 800XL and Commodore 64, sold many units over several years and
attracted third-party software development. By 1982, an estimated 621,000 home computers were in use in
the United States, at an average sales price of $530.
[16]
2
Almost universally, home computers had a BASIC interpreter combined with a line editor in permanent readonly memory which one could use to type in BASIC programs and execute them immediately or save them
to tape or disk. In direct mode, the BASIC interpreter was also used as the user interface, and given tasks
such as loading, saving, managing, and running files.
[17]
One exception was the Jupiter Ace, which had
a Forth interpreter instead of BASIC. A built-in programming language was seen as a requirement for any
computer of the era, and was the main feature setting home computers apart from video game consoles.
Still, home computers competed in the same market as the consoles. A home computer was often seen as
simply as a higher end purchase than a console, adding abilities to what would still be mainly a gaming
device. A common marketing tactic was to show a computer system and console playing games side by
side, then emphasising the computer's greater ability by showing it running user-created programs,
education software, word processing, spreadsheet and other applications while the game console showed a
blank screen or continued playing the same repetitive game.
Some game consoles offered "programming packs" consisting of a version of BASIC in a ROM cartridge.
Atari's BASIC Programming for the Atari 2600 was one of these. For the ColecoVision console, Coleco even
announced an expansion module which would convert it into a full-fledged computer system. This never
materialised, but a standalone computer, the Coleco Adam was eventually released.
[18]
The Magnavox
Odyssey² game console had a built-in keyboard to support its C7420 Home Computer Module.
Before the Internet, and before most computer owners had a modem, books were a popular and low-cost
means of software distribution. They also served a role in familiarizing new computer owners with the
concepts of programming; some titles added suggested modifications to the program listings for the user to
carry out. Modifying software to be compatible with one's system or writing a utility program to fit one's needs
was a skill every advanced computer owner was expected to have.
[20]
Introduced in August 1981, the IBM Personal Computer would eventually become the standard platform
used in business, due to the IBM name and the system's open architecture, which encouraged production
of third-party clones. The 6502-based Apple II series had carved out a niche for itself in business, thanks to
the industry's first killer app, VisiCalc, released in 1979. However the Apple II would quickly be displaced for
office use by IBM PC compatibles running Lotus 1-2-3.
[23]
Apple Computer's 1984 release of the Apple
Macintosh introduced the modern GUI to the market, which IBM-compatible computers would eventually
adopt.
[24]
Throughout the 1980s, PCs became popular with businesses, leading, by the end of the decade, to
Sub-$1000 IBM PC XT-class white box machines, usually built in Asia and sold by US companies like PCs
Limited. In the late 1980s, clones also became popular with non-corporate customers. Inexpensive, highly
compatible clones succeeded where IBM's PCjr had failed. Replacing the technophile hobbyists who had
made up the majority of the home computer market, were, as Compute! described them, "people who want
to take work home from the office now and then, play a game now and then, learn more about computers,
and help educate their children". By 1986 industry experts predicted an "MS-DOS Christmas", and the
magazine stated that clones threatened Commodore, Atari, and Apple's domination of the home-computer
market.
[26]
The declining cost of IBM compatibles on the one hand, and the greatly increased graphics, sound, and
storage abilities of fourth generation video game consoles such as the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo
Entertainment System on the other, combined to cause the market segment for home computers to vanish
by the early 1990s in the US. In Europe, the home computer remained a distinct presence for a few years .
3
With the Amiga and Atari ST lines being the dominant players, but today a computer bought for home will be
very similar to those used in offices — made by the same manufacturers, with compatible peripherals,
operating systems, and application software.
Many home computers were superficially similar. Most had a keyboard integrated into the same case as
the motherboard; sometimes a cheap-to-make membrane or chiclet keyboard in the early days, although
full-travel keyboards quickly became universal due to overwhelming consumer preference. Most systems
could use an RF modulator to display 20–40 column text output on a home television. Indeed, the use of a
television set as a display almost defines the pre-PC home computer. Although dedicated composite or
"green screen" computer displays were available for this market segment and offered a sharper display, a
monitor was often a later purchase made only after users had bought a floppy disk drive, printer, modem,
and the other pieces of a full system.
Processor clock rates were typically 1–2 MHz for 6502 based CPU's and 2–4 MHz for Z80 based systems
(yielding roughly equal performance), but this aspect was not emphasized by users or manufacturers, as the
systems' limited RAM capacity, graphics abilities and storage options had a more perceivable effect on
performance than CPU speed. Clock rate was considered a technical detail of interest only to users needing
accurate timing for their own programs. To economize on component cost, often the same crystal used to
produce color television compatible signals was also divided down and used for the processor clock. This
meant processors rarely operated at their full rated speed, and had the side-effect that European and North
American versions of the same home computer operated at slightly different speeds and different video
resolution due to different television standards.
Initially, many home computers used the then-ubiquitous compact audio cassette as a storage mechanism.
A rough analogy to how this worked would be to place a recorder on the phone line as a file was uploaded
by modem to "save" it, and playing the recording back through the modem to "load".
[29]
Most cassette
implementations were notoriously slow and unreliable, but early 5.25" form factor drives were priced for
business use, out of reach of most home buyers.
Eventually mass production of 5.25" drives resulted in lower prices, and after about 1984 cassette drives
were phased out of the US home computer market. 5.25" floppy disk drives would remain standard until the
end of the 8-bit era. Though external 3.5" drives were made available for home computer systems toward
the latter part of the 1980s, almost all software sold for 8-bit home computers remained on 5.25" disks; 3.5"
drives were used for data storage. Standardization of disk formats was not common; sometimes even
different models from the same manufacturer used different disk formats. Toward the end of the home
computer era, drives for a number of home computer models appeared offering disk-format compatibility
with the IBM PC. The disk drives sold with the Commodore 128, Amiga and Atari ST were all able to read
and write PC disks, which themselves were undergoing the transition from 5.25" to 3.5" format at the
time. Hard drives were never popular on home computers, remaining an expensive, niche product mainly
for BBS hobbyists and the few business users.
Various copy protection schemes were developed for floppy disks; most were broken in short order. Many
users would only tolerate copy protection for games, as wear and tear on disks was a significant issue in an
entirely floppy-based system. The ability to make a "working backup" disk of vital application software was
4
seen as important. Copy programs that advertised their ability to copy or even remove common protection
schemes were a common category of utility software in this pre-DMCA era.
In an enduring reflection of their early cassette-oriented nature, most home computers loaded their disk
operating system (DOS) separately from the main OS. The DOS was only used for disk and file related
commands and was not required to perform other computing functions. One exception was Commodore
DOS, which was not loaded into the computer's main memory at all — Commodore disk drives contained a
6502 processor and DOS in ROM.
Many home computers had a cartridge interface which accepted ROM-based software. This was also used
for expansion or upgrades such as fast loaders. Application software on cartridge did exist, which loaded
instantly and eliminated the need for disk swapping on single drive setups, but the vast majority of cartridges
were games.
[31]
From about 1985, the high end of the home computer market began to be dominated by "next generation"
home computers using the 16-bit Motorola 68000 chip, which enabled the greatly increased abilities of the
Amiga and Atari ST series. Graphics resolutions approximately doubled to give roughly NTSC-class
resolution, and color palettes increased from dozens to hundreds or thousands of colors available. Stereo
sound became standard for the first time. Clock rates on the 68000-based systems were approximately
8 MHz with RAM capacities of 256 kB (for the base Amiga 1000) up to 1024 kB (1 megabyte, a milestone,
first seen on the Atari 1040ST). These systems used 3.5" floppy disks from the beginning but 5.25" drives
were made available to facilitate data exchange with IBM PC compatibles. The Amiga and ST both had
GUIs inspired by the Apple Macintosh, but at a list price of $2495 (over $5000 in 2007 dollars), the
Macintosh itself was too expensive for most households.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, from about 1977 to 1983, it was widely predicted
[34]
that computers would
soon revolutionize many aspects of home and family life as they had business practices in the previous
decades.
[35]
Mothers would keep their recipe catalog in "kitchen computer" databases and turn to a medical
database for help with child care, fathers would use the family's computer to manage family finances and
track automobile maintenance. Children would use online encyclopaedias
[36]
for school work and would be
avid video gamers. The computer would even be tasked with babysitting younger children.
[37]
Home
automation would bring about the intelligent home of the '80s. Using Videotex, NAPLPS or some sort of asyet unrealized computer technology, television would gain interactivity. It would be possible to do the week's
grocery shopping through the television.
[38]
The "personalized newspaper" (to be displayed on the television
screen) was another commonly predicted application.
under computer control.
[40][41]
[39]
Morning coffee would be brewed automatically
The same household computer would control the home's lighting and
temperature. Robots would take the garbage out, and be programmed to perform new tasks via the home
computer. Electronics were expensive, so it was generally assumed that each home would have only one
computer for the entire family to use.
[42]
Home control would be performed in
a multitasking timesharing arrangement, with interfaces to the various devices it was expected to control.
5
All this was predicted to be commonplace sometime before the end of the decade, but by 1987 the predicted
[44]
revolution was said to be "in shambles", with only 15% of American homes owning a computer. Virtually
every aspect that was foreseen would be delayed to later years or would be entirely surpassed by later
[45]
technological developments. The home computers of the early 1980s could not multitask. Even if they
could, other technical limitations predominated; memory capacities were too small to hold entire
[46]
encyclopaedias or databases of financial records; floppy disk-based storage was inadequate in both
[47]
capacity and speed for multimedia work; and the home computers' graphics chips could only display
blocky, unrealistic images and blurry, jagged text that would be difficult to read a newspaper
[48]
from. Although CD-ROM technology was introduced in 1985 with much promise for its future use, the
drives were prohibitively expensive and only interfaced with IBM PCs and compatibles.
Before long, a backlash set in—computer users were "geeks", "nerds" or worse, "hackers". The North
American video game crash of 1983 soured many on home computer technology as users saw large
investments in 'the technology of the future' turn into dead-ends when manufacturers pulled out of the
market or went out of business. The computers that were bought for use in the family room were either
forgotten in closets or relegated to basements and children's bedrooms to be used exclusively for games
and the occasional book report. Home computers of the 1980s have been called "a technology in search of a
use”. It would take another 10 years for technology to mature, for the graphical user interface to make the
computer approachable for non-technical users, and for the World Wide Web to provide a compelling reason
for most people to want a computer in their homes. Separate 1998 studies found that 75% of Americans with
Internet access accessed primarily from home and that not having Internet access at home inhibited Internet
[53]
use. Predicted aspects of the revolution were left by the wayside or modified in the face of an emerging
reality. The cost of electronics dropped precipitously and today many families have a computer for each
family member, or a laptop for mom's active lifestyle, a desktop for dad with the kids sharing a computer.
Encyclopaedias, recipe catalogs and medical databases are kept online and accessed over the world wide
web — not stored locally on floppy disks or CD-ROM. TV has yet to gain substantial interactivity; instead, the
web has evolved alongside television, giving rise to the second screen concept. The HTPC and services
like Netflix, Google TV or Apple TV along with internet video sites such as YouTube and Hulu may one day
[55]
replace traditional broadcast and cable television. Our coffee may be brewed automatically every morning,
but the computer is a simple one embedded in the coffee maker, not under external control. As of 2008,
robots are just beginning to make an impact in the home, with Roomba and Aibo leading the charge.
This delay wasn't out of keeping with other technologies newly introduced to an unprepared public.
Early motorists were widely derided with the cry of "Get a horse!"
[56]
until the automobile was
accepted. Television languished in research labs for decades before regular public broadcasts began. In an
example of changing applications for technology, before the invention of radio, the telephone was used to
distribute opera and news reports, whose subscribers were denounced as "illiterate, blind, bedridden and
incurably lazy people".
[57]
Likewise, the acceptance of computers into daily life today is a product of
continuing refinement of both technology and perception.
< end.>
6
Tech Wreck
Memoirs on the rise & demise of a successful 80’s, 90’s & y2k
computer tech.
1981-2011
Author: Greg Cooney
Editor: Judy Hill
7
www.imstroked.comOther Books:
Im stroked to be Alive
Look whos Talking
Grass is Greener
DISCLAIMER: The following are dates; activities and specs are recalled
some 35yrs after the event, and to best of abilities. I’ve suffer a brain
injury though. As such I won’t & can’t accept responsibility for errors or
omissions! Email verified changes at above site please.
CAVEAT: Images are trawled from web and had no visible copyright, and
as such are gleamed public domain. Remember this is a NFP i.e noncommercial venture. But if you deem to be an owner who doesn’t wish
to share, plse email me via imstroked.com.
8
This book is designed to be green, i.e. it should only be shared online and read online digitally
and NOT be printed. Save our trees. If you must print, do it double sided or in booklet format
please. Share freely.
I am Sony™, Nook™ , Zinio™,Google Play™, Kindle™, Kobo™, Calibre™ and Adobe Reader™
friendly!
Dedicated to my wife Mary who quickly recognised my need to control a
computer again early in my stroke recovery, and my niece Amy who
sourced the big trackball to make that happen. Without, I would have
been a lost soul. And to my brother Steve and mate Declan, who supplied
parts and performed miracles, the latter which still does to this day.
Thank you.
In Memory Of
Anthony DeVeld
Robert Bailey
Pauline Hubbard
Anne Potts
9
Contents
History.............................................................................................................................................. 2
Brief Bio ......................................................................................................................................... 11
Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 12
Chapter 1- Early Beginnings ........................................................................................................... 14
Chapter 2 –My Army ‘Daze’ ........................................................................................................... 16
Chapter 3 – Enter the PC ............................................................................................................... 47
Chapter 4 – Evolution of the floppy .............................................................................................. 53
Chapter 5 – Programming or taming the beast ............................................................................. 55
Chapter 6 - Gaming console craze ................................................................................................. 59
Chapter 7 - Getting online, shopping ............................................................................................ 61
Chapter 8 – Pulling the rug ........................................................................................................... 63
Chapter 9 – The Net matures ........................................................................................................ 65
Chapter 10 – Business as usual...................................................................................................... 71
Chapter 11 – Selling Publicly.......................................................................................................... 73
Chapter 12 – Taking a backseat ..................................................................................................... 74
Chapter 13 – The Y2K Fiasco.......................................................................................................... 76
Chapter 14 – Going Full Circle..................................................................................................... 76
Chapter 15 – Stroke of bad luck ................................................................................................. 78
Chapter 16 – So Long, Farewell .................................................................................................. 79
Appendix A – Computers in disability ........................................................................................ 82
Appendix B – 1993 pricelist ........................................................................................................ 87
Appendix C – The defining ‘Killer’ apps? .................................................................................. 101
Appendix D – Early advertising ................................................................................................ 105
Appendix F – Business card evolvement .................................................................................. 113
Appendix G – Man of leisure...................................................................................................... 115
10
Brief Bio
1962
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1985
1988
1989
1990
1991
1991
1993
1993
1995
1996
1997
2003
2011
2011
2012
2014
Born Sth Otago
S.Cert 5 subjects
Joined Army
Commence Electronics apprenticeship
Exposure to 8088 family of personal computers
Electrical registration
Complete Electronics Engineer degree
Promotion to Sergeant
Married
Moonlighting
Left army
Recruited second byte
Quit same
Self employed
Incorporate company teleware distributors(tdl)
Create retail arm valley broking services (vbs)
Daughter is born
Vbs closes
Suffer catastrophic brainstem stroke @48
TDL closes
Voluntarily placed in assisted living
Still here @52 !
11
Introduction
Computers in many different forms have been my passion, the breadwinners, my life centre for
ever (it seems). Even before the personal computer I owned and cut my teeth on the following 6.
There was lots to choose from; Commodore Vics, Pet’s and the 64’s and Amiga’s, Trs-8o’s, BBC
micros, Honeywell, acorns, apple, apricots, sharps, NEC, to name the main ones. I’ve been
exposed to most from about 78-83. I have built, repaired, restored, bought, sold, broken,
outgrown, networked, programmed and spilt coffee on them. These were the pre-PC machines I
cut my teeth on. They are Sinclair’s ZX80 ZX81, Spectrum, Amstrad CPC-64, The Microbee (Aussie
made), was unusual in that its operating system was in the firmware. You simply plugged in a
different one when needed. However it was laborious to change over ‘cos you could only have
one at a time. So I designed a daughter board that plugged into socket with 8 sockets each which
could be swapped and called thru keyboard shortcuts. The first socket, the default, had my
program on to allow this. I was in the process of marketing it to the masses thru Microbee.
However the PC was only a few years away and laid waste to those plans!. The last a CP/M
machine with built in 4 colour screen and printer was the Sanyo if-800.
[There will be a v2 release where there will be a lot more links to wiki entries]
12
13
Chapter 1- Early Beginnings
I was born at a peacful time when a notebook was a wee pad with lines you wrote in, was one
when JFK was shot, seven for first moon walk, 15 before the now successful and famous probe
voyager was launched, Elvis died, and Michael Jackson was still a black kid.
We would be lucky to hear of a murder every few years; now it’s at least once a month. You could
go out, to a restaurant, walk, go to public places without a bloody phone ringing. There was no
word ‘digital’ yet. About the only technologies in the home were black & white
tv’s, large radios, telephones, old wringer tub washing machines and heaters. if you were lucky a
turntable - heck, stereo wasn’t even common yet. I began my
fascinatiion with radio and electronics at age 10, by way, as
most techs would, receiving a crystal set kit for my birthday
from my big brother. I think this Ladybird book, with plans to
build a crystal set.
As a listener of shortwave radio I was bewildered by how it
produced local stations from thin air without so much as a
battery. And one way or another I swore to find how. My
fascination with all things mechanical, especially vintage and
building stuff had begun.
A few years later, mid to late 70’s I was accidentally burned by
Dad’s friends son. The father, a well travelled philanthropist
endowed me with gifts from his travels abroad. One a small
(for then) minature
radio. I would sleep each night while it sang to me. Later I
would ‘deconstruct’ it, picking out the encapsulation
carefully, trying to find what made it tick.
I used dxing as a distraction, which would become an
addiction. I would transcribe or log what I heard and
icluded thngs like reception quality, noise, interferance
etc. This was using the SINPO rating.
In return the station would sent me a QSL card. Always different, size of a postcard, sometimes
glossy these usually were accompanied by calendars, pennnts, flags, stamps, puzzles, pens etc.
this would repeat yearly, so with scores of verification there was always
14
15
something to come home from school
for. I remember radio china went on
well into my army days!. This was the
days of good old slow boat or snail mail
post, slow but reliable, well before near
instantaneous email and their spam
folders which would require a near
instantaneous reply. Today with fibre
optics, it’s lterally at the speed of light!
Nope, in the 70 ‘s that word ‘spam’ was
never bandied around. It was yet to be
thought up.
Around this time I would accompany my father to the landfill. From here, I would look for and
pilfer all shapes and sizes of valve radios to ‘repair’. This wasn’t difficult, it was the age of
germanium transistors which where, while short lived, an important intermediary step between
valves and silicon transistors. After 1915-late 50’s of huge pre-war inefficient valve techchnolgy
usage, everyone was keen to climb aboard.
I would take apart, clean, and reassemble, which would often see them blaring forth. Those that
didn’t and had open filaments; I would buy valves off an old local Russian guy. I had a large radio
collection which today would fetch a pretty penny. I don’t know what happened to them. Last
seen when joining army for a long career in electronics (1981-1985), 9000hrs I recall. I attended
the high school’s radio club with great gusto, later running it, and no project would faze me.
Chapter 2 –My Army ‘Daze’
The following chapter is taken from my first book. I believe it also belongs
here. If you have read ‘I’m stroked to be alive’, you can skip to next.
`O.k, its rant time. a rather sketchy recant of my army time in no particular order [35 years ago].
Total served was just 11 years 1980-1991, but a lot would transpire in that time. So let’s start at
the
beginning
shall
we?
I was desperate to leave home and the drunken and abusive relationship of my
father. I initially wanted to be a pilot, given a few years at the 38 air squadron
cadetship. Every Wed I would ride a trusty Vespa 150cc scoot over to the base at
Wigram.
So into the Air Force recruiting office I went, and had to sit this wicked algebra
test. I failed by 4 points. “Sorry son, come back when you have U.E”. “BUGGER” I
exclaimed as I sheepishly left.
As I was leaving, an army recruiting sign caught my eye.
16
17
I applied and having aced the aptitude test and passed the medical, some months later a letter
arrived notifying me of my acceptance. “Yeah! Free at last” I thought to myself, completely naïve
to what was in store for the young boy Gregory, waiting to be shaped into a man. In January 1980,
just 16 for 2 months, I fly up to Wellington, then catch a bus to Waiouru. Through wide eyes it
wasn’t hard to spot some others while they nervously trod the airport carpet.
It was still summer, yet a chill surfaced about Taihape as we approached the desert. Man, were
we ever in for a shock come winter and its snow, ice and wind-chill. So cold was it, we challenged
each other to lick the flagpole. To my knowledge no one was that stupid. Because we weren’t 18
yet, we couldn’t join the regular forces, instead joined the cadet forces. Some had to endure 2
years; I was one of the lucky ones only having to do one. It was easy to spot
us, so young, and we wore bright red berets.
It was no party tho, let me tell ya. We were divided into 6 platoons, each of
those filled by the future trades/occupations we would go on to. For instance there was [#1]
infantry [grunts] and tanks [tankies] in one, I was in the one [#4] for signalmen [sigs] and
electronics [goons]. Known as “whippos”, we would be spared fulltime military training in
exchange for schooling to achieve our University Entrance qualifications [U.E]. Of course, there
was fierce rivalry between each platoon, with others touting we were just fake wannabe’s. In
actual truth we did the same training, just less. In fact it was harder as we had to contend with the
warm classroom, then tired, get thrown outside in the cold, then tired…well you get the picture,
then learn, and swat, and do our chores, all the while ironing our clothes for the next day!
We lived in rooms 10 aside, with our personal space no bigger than that of a prison cell. I think
each building had 4 rooms, washing room and ablutions/shower block. Each platoon had a diff
building which all backed on to a massive asphalted parade ground. They had to be kept
immaculate, self-maintained right down to the white painted rocks bordering the gardens. Inside,
brass fittings highly polished like our belt buckles, porcelain gleaming and floor lino so glossy from
buffing we could almost shave in their reflection!
The day began at 5:30, the time being marked loudly by reveille and the daily ritual of raising the
flag. Showering and dressing quickly, we had to prepare our rooms and spaces, ready for standby
your beds, the daily inspection. You prayed everything was in order, clothes clean, pressed and
regimentally spaced in your wardrobe. No dust anywhere which they would check with a white
glove, which they must have stolen from Mickey Mouse. God help you if not perfect, your bed
would be up-ended, wardrobe pushed over and a meeting with the Officer Commanding [OC], and
the docking of pay, inevitable. Amazingly we only made $6/day, but with enforced compulsory
savings managed at least $1200 at the end-of-year, a lot of money in those days. We got to spend
it all at Xmas much to the envy of our civilian mates. We lived the Life of Riley back then. We had
no real use for money, everything: board, meals, clothes etc. were provided, but a little was doled
out each week for consumables and luxury items. No need to leave camp, everything could be had
18
19
at the Army Garrison Institute [AGI], a megamall that stocked everything from fast foods to
consumer electronics. Indeed, I got my first stereo and TV on layby there. Every camp had one
then.
At mealtimes we would form a squad and present our mess tins for inspection of cleanliness.
These were issued with our uniform, and would always accompany us at mealtimes be it on
manoeuvres in the scrub, or within the confines of camp. Mealtimes then, were not a relaxing
time where you could enjoy your food at a leisurely pace, oh no, heaven forbid. Regularly we
never got to finish unless we shovelled it in as fast as we could. Having ‘seconds’ was out of our
reach.
It seemed we were always in hot water, marching up in front of the OC, usually a colonel, on some
disciplinary charge or another. For this we would be awarded X number of days confined to
barracks, better known as CB. We would have to report to the duty hut at 16:30 [4:30pm].
It would sound again at 5:30 in the morning. I can’t remember when morning session ended, the
night one was 2200 [subtract 12]. Now you couldn’t visit the AGI, or leave camp.
The punishment was entirely left up to that day’s duty sergeant. Many were meaner than junk
yard dogs, no doubt seeking revenge, while some [not many] were pussies, no doubt having been
thru it, felt pity on us. Life really WAS like a box of chocolates, never knowing what you’ll get!
I did my fair share of CB so will recall some common occurrences. First to mind, they would hand
you a coke bottle and get you to fill it up with grass. Upon completing, they would then demand
you empty it WITHOUT breaking it. Second was sprinting a couple of k out to the army museum
where there were a dozen placques on the wall. You had to remember them, without writing
down and recite them upon return, or risk return trip(s) till right. Third, there was this steep hill
called tank hill upon which rested the town’s water tank right. Steep at the best of time, right. But
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doubly so when you’re exhausted and it’s the dead of night. Plus we had to carry our bed and
bedding up and reassemble at the top. This often entailed 3 or more trips!
But as harsh as it was, we eventually
saw the light and developed ‘cheats’
of our own. A blind eye was turned to
these practices as they were deemed
character and team building, or
showing initiative. I just called it
devious cunning, or how to beat the
system. They usually involved the
peeps you took the wrap for, or mates
who had finished their own routine,
knowing full well you still had to do
your tasks when released, and also
knowing full well you had to return
the favour when their turn came, which it invariably would!
They involved driving out to the plaques location during downtime and writing each of their
inscriptions and hiding it in the barracks. Then instead of running out there, we only had to return
to barracks, where we could rest our weary bones and memorize the list. Tank hill was succumbed
by running back to barracks yelling ‘tank’. This would spur into action the following; your bed was
dismantled and driven by car to the top of the hill and reassembled. You could then navigate the
hill unimpeded. However sometimes the sergeant would cotton on to what was happening, and
grabbing the duty Land rover would be waiting at the top to foil our plans! Ah, those were the
days!
`This would continue for the year, after which, us lucky ones would graduate to regular force, get
a blue beret and enter our relevant corps to adopt a
trade. Even back at those tender ages, the stalwart
drinking culture began. No, they couldn’t make you
drink, but unless you did, or played rugby, you were
considered an outcast. Talk about peer pressure, I don’t
know anyone who didn’t adopt one of the two, or both,
as the consequences not to, were too great. Sure we
would drink with adult supervision, but not for long. Happy hours were once a month and it
wasn’t long before we were left to our own devices, and the temptations of cheap [subsidised]
liquor.
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About halfway thru the year we were bussed to W[h]anganui, tho it didn’t have an h then. We
were to be the dates at the collegiate girls collage annual dance. Having met what we thought was
true love, and must be our life long soul-mates [sorry Mary!]; we just had to get back there. And
so we would. However, the only way we could leave camp, since we were under 18, was to get a
leave pass stating we were staying with our sponsors. All personnel who came from very far away,
were assigned a sponsor who quickly would become your second mum. Generally the families of
your roomies who lived only a town or two away. I can remember 3 or 4 who came that weekend,
convincing each sponsor to say we would be with them. Now while we could drive, none of us
owned a vehicle, so once again it was the bus.
We were pleasantly surprised; ok ecstatic, that our partners had rendezvoused with us as
requested. We booked a hotel, but not gaining what we hoped for, soon got bored with the girls,
so left for a pub. Buoyed that our rosy-cheeked, fresh-faced, wide-eyed looks hadn’t given the
game away, we got down to business. Staggering out arm in arm to hold each other up, we
surveyed the town for more action. Having found none, we made our own. One of the lads had
stolen a motorcycle which we took turns hooning around the town centre. Up curbs, down alleys,
on pavements, wherever we wanted. We were invincible killing machines remember! How we
never got stopped I don’t know. We kept this up until we ran out of gas and ditched the bike like a
hot spud. ‘Let’s get something to eat’ came the cry, problem was nothing was open at this hour.
‘Have problem, create solution’ echoed around our dulled brains. So we did, we forced entry to a
dairy and helped ourselves. Having left our mark on this town, we caught our bus, returning
gloomily to hell, I mean camp.
We had what was referred to as barrack [room] justice; it was our own way of handing out
punishment without it going thru normal channels. i.e. someone who repeatedly skimped with
personal hygiene procedures would be dragged kicking to the shower block to be scrubbed with a
yard broom and hosed down with the fire hose!
So off to the regular force I go, along with the relaxed regulations, like real plates and no time
limits to finish eating. Single man rooms, [great for sneaking girls into!], cinema, leave camp
whenever, and most important of all, a bar that was open every day!
All very alluring to a 17 year old impressionable youth.
I would spend the next year at the school of electrical mechanical engineers (SEME) embarking on
a gruelling journey for a diploma in electronic engineering for a total of 9,500 hours. This would be
mainly theory that we would continue at technical institutes in Palmerston North, Wellington and
the Waikato, for months at a time working alongside civilians. It would put us in the top pay band.
Slightly odd being ordered round by someone you know is making less than you. I received my
radio technician’s certificate in ’83 and my electrical registration in ’85. I was posted to the
telegoons section at Trentham’s 1 Base Workshops, the facility for unit repairs as opposed to
diagnosis and unit swapping in a wartime [field] environment. I would stay there a year so let me
divulge a few secrets that happened then.
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I was gifted with the ability to retain info without any swot whatsoever. Sure it would’ve helped
but I was more interested in the beer gods instead. Once I was thrown out for disturbing the class
with my laughter, and the falling off my chair frequently. Had only stopped drinking and god
knows what else, an hour before class!
Want to share a wee experience involving a model airplane. For weeks every Saturday morning
one would buzz around outside our barracks. It interfered with our hung over beauty sleep. Right,
I’ll show you ya bugger. So armed with a signal generator I had borrowed from my section, I
climbed to the TV room which was the highest point on the 3 storied block. Sweeping the range
thru an open window I jammed control of the plane which nose-dived into the turf. Pleased with
myself, unaware of some kid’s broken heart, I packed up. Returning to work Monday I overheard a
conversation of the captain who was second in charge [2IC], solemnly discussing it, it was HIS boy!
Whoops, must have never bought him another one, for we were never to be awoken so early
again.
Speaking of barracks let me relay a small story about what happened in the army barracks when I
was in my early twenties. To set the scene, A & B accommodation blocks were 3 storied concrete
boxes, where each floor mirrored another. Well one evening I went out on a bender as usual. This
time I got in a fight and got done over right royally. I can’t remember what it was over quite
frankly, [strange as that may seem! ;)]
Anyway, I staggered back home, how I found it is beyond comprehension, must have been the
raw, subliminal, homing instinct, like pigeons have. I must have fumbled for my keys, had I found
them, I would have discovered they didn’t fit, likely alerting me to having the wrong room, but I
wasn’t given that chance.
‘I know,’ I thought, in a moment of brilliance, I’ll just get in the window! Brilliant deduction,
considering I lived on the second floor, exactly one room above. Entering the room I felt smug
with myself, and climbed into bed o.k. But I must have tossed and turned, right. No doubt
continuing the fight ‘action’ in my drunken slumber. So the real owner staggered home himself at
3am, after attending a wedding reception. Imagine his surprise to find goldilocks out to it, in a
deep sleep surrounded by massive amounts of pooling and congealing blood at the window, the
desk under it, the bedding, sheets, and walls, looking, like an outtake of SAW movie.
Since I didn’t stir at the door being unlocked and opened, nor at the light being turned on, the
poor guy assumed that I was dead, reporting it to the night watch staff. Who quickly woke me,
and upon hearing my tale, ushered me back to my room, where I was quickly left, presumably left
to further console the correct and distraught owner of said lodging!
One more incident, of course rife with cannabis and alcohol consumption, began as normal with
as much as we could drink, subsidised alcohol. It started with me dancing on tables and doing
stripteases. I should have gotten the hint when my clothes were taken and hidden, but oh no not
me!, probably as high as a kite after ‘clandestine operations’ to partake, I had a party to attend,
and besides, I had a reputation to uphold, I was after all, the binge king. So after finally clothing
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up, I staggered off to this party. Next I knew it was just breaking dawn. ‘Hey what am I doing in the
bush?’ I was covered in scratches, presumably from scrambling thru the trees. I was dressed only
in undies, which lets say I had soiled! WTF, I muttered, as I ran back to the barracks. Hell, I must
have looked a sight for morning motorists, a crazy looking dude, just out for an early morning jog,
in his bulging underpants! I had only been asleep, for what seemed only minutes, when there was
a rapid, RAP, RAP, RAP, on my door.
I was face-to-face with a policeman, holding up my wallet, ‘Is this yours?’ he roared, ‘Great, you
found it’ I said, reaching for it. ‘Not so fast, son, you’re under arrest’. I apparently took my clothes
off, for what reason, I don’t know, and stashed them under a shrub. I then, naked except for
undies, proceeded to knock on the door. When it was not answered, I tried the door, but it was
locked. ‘I know there’s a party there’ I yelled, as I broke the nearest quarter light window, and
reached thru to access the lock.
‘We’re calling police’, warned the terrified occupants, who turned out to be a pensioner couple
who were NOT having a party! They must have scared me off, so I ran into the bush that bordered
the property. I was convicted of breaking and entering, and ordered to pay restitution for the
door.
Now one doesn’t have this much fun with a lethal mix of alcohol, drugs, and cars without paying
for it. Having taken blood at my last accident, no one was surprised when it returned a level of
1400, over 3x the limit of 400; so I was scheduled to meet the judge. As this was the 2nd time
(that I was caught), I knew I was in for a battle. But, 12 months suspension [which meant I’d lose
car, motorcycle, heavy trade [HT], HT and trailer, articulated trailer and track classes], $5,000 fine,
plus 6 months periodic detention, was a bit OTT, don’t you think? The forfeiture of all those
classes, huge at the time, but of little consequence now!
But I had a real case for a retrial, this judge was biased, having a daughter killed by a drunken
soldier, I found out later. I swallowed my medicine anyway, and the army wasn’t concerned,
promoting me to sergeant just several weeks later. They also paved the way for me to jump in a
truck to sit my heavy trade, which gives you the light trade (LT) or car licence automatically.
Still, I learnt my lesson and wasn’t to offend again. Perhaps today’s sentences are far too light?
Did I tell you I worked on SAM’s, surface or ground-to-air missiles? Let me explain, one morning
while everyone went to smoko, I remained behind to get the jump on a repair. Somewhere along
the way, I dropped and broke a 2 gallon glass ‘flagon’ of isopropyl alcohol. Almost 8 litres. ‘Oopsie,
better clean it up before everybody gets back’ I mused to myself.
‘Now where’s the old faithful’, a Tellus, a vacuum cleaner, it will make short work of it as I
switched it on. Within seconds I was fascinated by the tube icing up and getting cold. Then there’s
an almighty ‘BOOM’, which shook the building. ‘WTF was that?’ I looked around noticing a big ugly
hole in the suspended ceiling, and for a second, thought something had dropped from the sky.
Looking around for what it was, I noticed half the cleaner was missing! By this time everyone came
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running from the smoko room to investigate the noise. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work
out what would happen to the highly flammable liquid, or does it?!
We would have weekly happy hours at our 164 club. Now 164 was army speak for written off. An
apt name as we often, read ‘always’ were. This particular night was a real doo-sey, having
forfeited tea to carry on getting 164’d. Was dark out as I recall.
They didn’t need keys in those days; but unceremoniously I crashed it into a building. Not any
building, mine, the goon’s shop! The tank was fine as you would expect, but the building wasn’t so
lucky. I was never caught, or would have faced a court martial for sure!
Let’s expand on this shall we? The irony was we had jumped into the only tank that was
retrofitted with a massive, petrol Mercedes truck engine that was jury rigged to the original
gearbox, giving I think, 8 forward gears and 2 reverse. As luck would have it, I selected a reverse
gear. As I was responsible, for the fitting of many sensors, and the logging [recording] of data. I
was given a 5 minute crash course on driving it by the tankies, and was mad keen to show off my
newly acquired skills. A ‘crash’ course it would be indeed! I was literally ‘tanked’ up and couldn’t
manage a car let alone one of these behemoths.
The problem was this course was using the somewhat subdued and sluggish, diesel counterparts
then, yeah. There was no way a layman could tell from the outside that the motor was different,
c’mon cut me some slack here please. I didn’t know this one had twice the torque of the original,
well, ok, I did. Feeling some resistance I thought I just wasn’t giving it enough juice. So I did what
everyone would do in my situation, gave it death! Down came the front entrance of MY section.
‘Oh shit’, I exclaimed as I stalled it, ‘let’s foot it’ cried my mate. So that’s precisely what we did.
We thought we got away Scott-free, but we hadn’t. Pretending the vandalism to the front of MY
building, was as big a surprise to me as anyone else, it soon came apparent, that due to the noise
of the building tumbling down like a tower of cards, we had been spotted through the dust,
legging it away! Now what is surprising is this; which I found out many years later, from my
youngest sister.
My father, who since has passed, was rung presumably by admin clerks, since I was still under 18,
the age of consent, and dad who I hadn’t seen for 2+ years, was asked ‘what would he do, in this
situation?’. ‘Nothing, he’s your problem now,’ was his reply. I never did hear any more about it,
nor did the passenger, it was quickly swept under the table, as were many other offences. I can
tell you one thing tho; we never adopted that engine, it was too hot, too thirsty, and just too
damn fast!
It was about this time I would earn the nickname ‘Goat’, why? They eat anything don’t they? After
a few, I could be coaxed to consume anything. Usually for money, tho not always that; usually was
just a dare, a challenge. I would eat anything from smoke butties, [the contents of an ashtray
between bread], of a sick bucket [from someone sculling a yard perhaps.] Basically I was just a
clown craving attention. A couple of my party favourites were the following disgusting tricks. I
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would tie a piece of cotton to a food morsel, and tying one end to a shirt button, would swallow it.
I would pull it up an hour later and swing it at everybody, influencing the refill of that sick bucket!
Another standard, I would swallow a condom right, then snorting one end up through a nostril,
with one end still hanging out my mouth, would precede to see-saw it back and forwards. All I
know the pre-lubed and flavoured ones weren’t nice tasting.
After countless 50c jugs, happy hours, and the rigging of auctions, in which I or another committee
member often won all the cool brewery promotionals, I had my first overseas experience in Fiji. I
recall that we were flown there in an air force Hercules [C130] that was for basically heavy
equipment moving. The trip was mostly uneventful, but I vividly remember it raining inside the
non-pressurized cabin when landing, due to the high humidity outside. It was HOT, I was gasping
at the dry hot air in the middle of the tarmac and it was only the morning! We headed straight out
to the jungle where we would take it easy for a couple of days to acclimatise. I remember the
jungle well too; monkeys and lemurs abound, lotsa coconut and banana trees, sugar cane
plantations etc. but what sticks was the different and vast flora and fauna, plus the larger than life
insect life.
Everything was so big, I mean jumbo! We had to use mosquito nets, not because they were so big,
there were so fricken many when the sun went down. Speaking of prolific, when the sun
disappeared, out came the fruit bats. I had the unpleasant experience of being bitten on the knee
by a scorpion, it swelling like a balloon very quickly till a medic administered an antidote. I’ll also
always remember as we left for some well-earned relaxation and shopping [R&R], the kids lining
our route, armed with fresh fruit they had gathered and would exchange for ration pack food. A
tube of honey or dark chocolate bars [look out, they contained laxatives! ;)] scoring you armfuls of
fruit. Just what was called for after a couple of weeks without.
Then after various courses with tankie school in Waiouru [we called it Wiberia for its weather and
remoteness] working on field artillery computer equipment [FACE], basically a giant mortar
calculator, and specialised, rugged, intercom and radio, I was posted down south to a field
workshop for a year. Just half an hour from home. Apart from repairing stuff from petrol
generators to emergency beacon radios, a lot else went on. The old barracks backed on to a
bowling green, which we visited often. Not to play mind you, it was close, serene and private,
perfect for that ‘joint’ we would partake in, naughty eh?, not half; wait, we once visited the
workshop in the weekend when it was empty. I don’t know what the hell possessed us but we
shared a spliff in the OC’s office, taking turns mocking the disciplinary procedure. I know, stupid or
what, was cheeky back then, hell, I still am!
Once a mate, the same I sniffed glue with [below], took 6, or was it 8 LSD trips all at once; given to
him in a ‘dear john’ letter only a week ago. I recall it was a Sunday I think, we had to try and keep
him conscious for hours, giving him cold showers, numerous strong coffees. I can still see him
fainting on parade the next day, hitting the asphalt liked a felled tree.
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He was depressed and on a path to destruction. He suggested we should find out what this new
[then] fad of huffing was all about. I too wondered, so I humoured him, ‘let’s try it’. We bought a
large tube of UHU solvent, or was it F2 contact adhesive? I don’t remember. Scrounging a plastic
shopping bag I’d use for rubbish, from the glove box, we went to work. Next minute, I was full
noise in reverse, going the wrong direction down a one-way street, was it Armagh, or St. Asaph?, I
don’t know and that’s not important right now, I’m telling a story, do you mind?, concentrate
now, not much to go.
Before long, we were back in Burnham, about half an hour out of Christchurch [ChCh], how we got
there, is anyone’s guess. We decided to swap cars, this one was ‘too hot’, and likely spotted, so
we wanted to drop it like a hot potato. We borrowed, ok ‘helped ourselves’, ok stole a mates Mk4
Zephyr [Zodiac] that had been freshly painted 2 days before, so fresh it didn’t have all its trim on
yet. You see back then we painted in enamel, not lacquer, and it would take a day or two to fully
harden.
Consequently the bonnet hadn’t been fully fitted yet, and wasn’t closed properly. So when it blew
open at highway speeds when returning to ChCh we shouldn’t have been surprised, yet we were!
The bonnet had flown up and flattened against the windshield, smashing it, bending up
unnaturally at the hinges, destroying not only the stunning paint job, but the bonnet as well.
Screeching to a halt, we couldn’t see jack shit.
Kicking out the windshield, and tying down the ruined bonnet we proceeded into the city. There
we would repeat the process [another huff], and dance away what was left of the night. Returning
at around 8am, we were confronted by quite the commotion. You see, the owner got up early,
found his car missing, and reported it to the military police. Bloody spoil-sport, where’s his sense
of humour?, we wondered. But we would never again touch that stuff.
The army replaced the entire fleet of trucks, RL Bedford’s, it had had since the ‘50s with
Mercedes. The 2228s, now a classic, I remember well. I thought the Bedfords could go anywhere;
think they had 8 forward gears. Anyway was asked if I wanted to do driver training. You bet- so we
did, taking in most of the South Island from Blenheim to Bluff, navigating some of the most
treacherous roads and gorges. Once we gained confidence, we were loaded up with thousands of
litres of water. As 1 litre=1kg, we had tonnes of load! We had to come down steep passes using
only the gears and engine brakes, normal brakes were prohibited. I recall we entered Bluff and
unanimously voted to stop and wet our whistles. Unbeknown to us it was the annual oyster
festival! So we got these pails of freshly shucked oysters with 5 dozen each. We scoffed ourselves
silly whilst swilling. Funny thing was I don’t remember paying. Definitely a highlight. For the
record, bluff oysters may be unmatched on the planet. If you get the chance, try some.
I would complete my junior non-commissioned officer’s course [JNCO] down there, leaving with 2
stripes, [corporal] and Mary close behind, who I stole from another soldier. My bad luck. Again,
another impression is left behind on the city for our legacy. From here I was posted back to
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Trentham. This time it was to the exclusive technical services unit where I would get my own
portacom.
Once, I was to be the enemy party for an exercise. We were not on patrol so to speak, so we could
make noises, break formation, go at our own pace etc. Nearing the end of a two week stint, we
were desperate for something fresh. In a knee-jerk reaction, risking an incidental unauthorised
discharge [IUD] I noticed a very large eel cruising the edge of a stream we were following. Quick as
a flash I stunned it by striking it with the butt off my rifle, and then stabbed it clean thru the head
with my bayonet, skewering it.
Everyone was impressed, and after learning to remove the slime by rubbing it with sand and small
pebbles, the Māori boys took off to find Puha, a delicacy that tastes like spinach. That evening we
dined on that and smoked eel, it was divine. I earned the name ‘the great white hunter’ from that
point on. Also on that trip we had to make a tricky river crossing, roped together, arms linked, we
went. Someone went down a few feet from us and down I went to. The water was C.O.L.D, being
fed from glaciers and I gasped to catch my breath. When I opened my eyes in shock under the
water tho, I saw all these fat, obviously spawning salmon, all heading in the same direction. Quite
the sight.
We were awarded a holiday on the Queen part way
thru’ one year. No no, not that kind. We were to
visit a private and secluded bay frequented only by
shearers in the Marlborough Sounds. Having caught
the same interislander ferry I spoke of earlier, with 4
trucks in tow, 1 to transport troops [us], 1 toansport
sports equip like kayaks, water donuts etc., and 2
That reminds me of another yarn. Once a year the Department of Conservation [DOC] would
request we carry out a cull in a block they’d designate and close off. It was very desirable to get in
that squad, as the army would provide as much ammo as you could carry and rations, that we
would supplement with bacon, eggs, pasta, whatever we liked. We carried copious amounts of
ammunition as once we were out of sight we would convert our semi-automatics to full auto with
the simple addition of a matchstick. We could, and did, fell large trees, cutting them in half with
bursts that would leave the barrels glowing red. Anyway my tale is, there were 6 or 7 of us, and
we would take sweepstakes as to who would have the most kills. We would mow down anything
that moved right, notching up tallies of 3 or 4 each.
They were usually goats, pigs, fallows [deer], and possums. Whatever. Well we were anyway , but
there was one person who hadn’t scored yet. In desperation, we heard a shot. Way off down a
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gully next to a river bed was he, struggling while holding up his goat. “I got one, boys” he said over
the radio. Unbeknownst to the rest of us, one of the guys took photos of the expedition, right. He
had taken one of the poor goat, or should I say poor bloke. While showing his photos, someone
remarked the goat looked fat. Sure enough, examination under a mag’ glass showed it was. Faced
with the evidence, he ‘fessed up. The goat had prolly died of drowning several weeks earlier, and
was bloated! Given absolute shit over it and earned the nickname ‘Doc’.
We would always celebrate Dec. 1st, St Eligeus day,
the birthday of our corps [RNZEME] foundation. If in
the barracks, we would be awoken by the senior staff
serving us hot rum ‘n’ coffees in our beds. Anyone
who lived outside the gates could enjoy the same at
the infamous 164 club. There would be no work,
instead we would gather for games. One of the
games was to be a horizontal slide, slick with
detergent. Guess who came running thru it? Even
before the games had begun. Going head over arse,
knocking themselves out and dislocating their collar bone? Let’s not go there o.k. Who said the
army encouraged drinking?
Life was beginning to be one long party now, I would go to my room after lunch and skull as much
as possible, one of those cheap cartons of wine, taking it out so I could squeeze the bladder like a
bag-pipe player, for speed drinking and to get every last drop! I would return to work and no one
appeared any the wiser. I would leave for the electrician’s loft to sleep it off till 16:30 [4:30] when
I could return to the bar and start all over again. We were often so hung over in the morning, we
couldn’t face breakfast, opting instead for a carton of banana milk and a tin of sardines, and an
odd combination that we thought was a cure! One afternoon I returned to the compound to
discover a light armoured vehicle [LAV] had been parked, blocking my access. Don’t worry I’ll
move it. I jumped in and charged down the tarmac right outside the administration offices at full
speed. I overheated and stalled it, with smoke pluming out; I calmly exited as if I had done it
purposely, and made a beeline for that loft.
About now I made a 2nd trip to Fiji or [F1J1] as we would call it. Pretty much the same except we
could break the codes that determined the lowest price a dealer would be prepared to go. They
would be displayed on each item, much like a price tag. It was widely adopted by the capitals
[SUVA] shopping districts and other towns frequented by tourists. It sure made haggling [the
shopping standard], a breeze!
As I’ve had over 30 years combined in PC servicing let me put these questions to you, when does
your PC die? When you’re using it, staring at the screen? No, at switch on [and less, at switch off].
Let me give you another analogy, when do bulbs blow? While its burning? Again no, at switch on
[and less, at switch off]. You want to double the life of bulbs, leave on, or replace light switches
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with a dimmer for a less abrupt soft start. [Some dimmers dislike eco bulbs, ask!]. You can’t put
one on your PC, but you can leave on. Set screen to blank after a period. Staying at constant temp,
no turn-on spikes, hard drives that don’t have to spin up and down, it’ll repay you in longevity.
Being energy efficient, it’ll only add a couple of dollars each month. But it’ll save hundreds in
repairs and constant bulb replacements! Tip: leave your pc on, leave lights on, especially Ecos or
install dimmers.
Sometime in ’95, my older brother and I, he, also self-employed in information technology [IT],
decided to see Vegas and to attend the computer dealers’ expose [COMDEX] there. It was a real
eye-opener. And the lights, you’ve heard about them, but until you see that neon city rise out of
the desert, your naïve to them. Gambling a great draw card, you played right under a new Harley
[hog], a new corvette, or a glass case, brimming with crisp $100 notes. I will fess-up to playing $25
slots, but not how many thousands I lost. We caught Penn and Teller, and the Moody Blues’
concerts while there. Great. We then flew out to LA and spent a couple of days relaxing at Santa
Monica. While on the infamous pier, this guy had incredulously fished up a diamond ring. The
police were talking to him, as likely they were the proceeds of a hoist. I recall it was in pristine
order, not even the sea tarnishing them, which I now know is a sign of quality. I would also be
scammed outta $20 bucks attempting to score in the town centre. The airport was so vast; you
needed to catch buses just to get to your car! After an almost an hour, I commented on how
monotonous LA was; only to be corrected we were just leaving the airport! You’d think I’d know –
I was only here 5 years earlier - must’ve been sleeping.
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Back to army days, I think the army wanted me to stay, even treating me to another overseas
experience, no doubt, in the hope I’d change my mind. This time I would travel directly to London
[27 hour flight]. I was made an acting sergeant, meaning I’d inherit all the perks, wear the rank [3
stripes], but remain on current pay. I was to be attached to the special boat squadron [SBS],
England’s marine answer to our elite special air service [SAS]. I was to install and test satellite
navigation and intercom systems on 28’ rigged hull inflatable boats [RHIB]. They were state of the
art troop movers, with wait for it, twin 240’s on it. Man, these things could fly, literally. If we
didn’t compensate for the missing weight of people by distributing 1000+ lbs. in the foot straps,
they would go airborne, flipping!
I first stayed in London, a warrant officer [WO] having given up his room for me in city central.
Actually it was Camden, a pretty rough and scary neighbourhood after dark. Speaking of dark, it
being their winter, it would be beginning to get dark around lunchtime, being pitch black around
4. A dark, gloomy wet hole I can’t recommend in winter. Sure I did the touristy bits, Big Ben,
Buckingham Palace, Madam Tusards wax museum, Tower of London etc. However I couldn’t wait
to get out of there.
That chance came pretty soon. I had been loosely chaperoned by an Irish captain. He said to me
“If you can keep you pie-hole shut boy, I’ll take you somewhere special for lunch”. His mother
lived in Dublin. Northern Ireland was a no-go zone because of the IRA insurgence, you see. We
flew over there; it was only a short, less than ½ hour flight, albeit only for a few hours. There I
would be treated to the planet’s best shepherd’s pie. Must have been the potatoes, fiddle deedee.
Flew to Paris for 3 or 4 days. What a rude intolerant nation, I mean pedestrian crossings are for
walkers right? Wrong, only venture forth if no cars, or bear the wrath of horns, and if you don’t
talk the native tongue, forget about it, nope, no pressing desire to return. But ascended the Eiffel
Tower, saw the Arc de triomphe, visited the Louvre museums, rowed a stretch of the river Siene,
visited the Notre Dame, ate garlic snails [yum!]. What else is there?
I did my tasks in Southampton, in Portsmouth, and in Dover [aka white cliffs of] with the SBS boys.
Crikey did they [we] get some severe respect from the locals. Everywhere we went, be it bars,
pool or toilets etc. it was as if the seas parted, peeps tripping over to almost bow to us. Drinking
real Guinness which the Brits served at room temperature, I was quick to extol the virtues of kiwi
drinking. Sensing I was all talk and on the verge of intoxication, they bought me a bottle of beer. I
can still picture the bottle now, old fashioned with a funny ceramic and cork stopper secured to
the neck by a metal hinge. In fact I brought it back it was so unusual. Don’t know where it is now.
Lowenbrau it was called, that name will be with me forever. Anyway its only 750ml, will be piece
of piss to drink I chortled. Well I got half way thru and had this strong urge to walk [as I do now!].
So down this corridor I floated, and then proceeded to power chuck all over the walls, both sides.
But had the decency to strain it first thru my fingers which were held up to my open mouth. Kept
quiet about booze for the rest of the trip, I didn’t feel like boasting for some reason! I dunno what
poison resided in that bottle, but challenge anyone to drink a whole bot and walk out, unaided!
42
43
On the way back, I stopped over in Los Angeles for a couple of days. I took a bus tour of many
Hollywood moguls’ mansions, walked the stars, visited the infamous red Chinese theatre etc. but
before I knew it, it was time to return home. I reverted back to corporal [2 stripes], but having
tasted senior ranks’ privileges, I was not wanting to stay there long, knowing full well my super
would be based on the highest rank attained. So when given the chance to attend a SNCO’s
course, I bit, hook, line and sinker, hell, bait as well. Now it would consist of verbal, instructional,
fitness and field phases over 6 weeks. Having passed all so far, I was in the middle of the field
phase, when I was given the news my father had passed, and I was wanted home. Pretty
unexpected as he was only 61. I was taken off and flew to Christchurch. We had much unsaid
business. Tip: Can I just ask ‘Do you?’ Don’t leave it too late, you will regret it, dead men don’t
hear, no matter how sincere you are.
Having not completed the field phase, I was to re-sit, which I did the very next course. I wasn’t too
surprised then, to be officially promoted. And with it all the perks, like restaurant style eating,
bigger living quarters [not that it mattered, I was living de-facto by then], formal dinners etc. but
there were downsides; I would be expected to perform duty sergeant duties. I was getting my
chance to be dealing out, not receiving punishments, but I would be one of the gooduns, receiving
respect not from fear.
I continued to play up in the bar; it didn’t go down to well. In fact, I was banned from attending
my own farewell, which was over-ruled for that day. C’mon, why change something that works?,
taught your dog any new tricks lately?, has a leopard still got spots, and a zebra stripes? Well that
about sums up 11 years, at least what I can recall, it went so fast. I have no doubt it has left me
with the goods to survive and manage this condition. And I have built many, many comradeships
that still last 33 years later to this day. Anyway history lesson over.All was going swimmingly; I was
enjoying it immensely and doing well. Exciting moments like removing the tin capping of a
commonly faulty hybrid I.C from our most advanced radio, and looking at it under a high powered
microscope!. I could look for hours, remember this was low scale integration, or miniaturisation. It
was prior to wafer silicon and was discreet circuitry sub-miniaturised and shoe horned into a can
with legs. It was probably about 5x5cm! Viewing it can be likened to flying over a city in google
maps today. But back then it was amazing! Anyway getting caught up reminiscing again. It’s 1982
and I’m posted to technical services wing Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers (RNZEME).
not far, just 20m across the tarmac! There I would remain to ‘85. I was spoilt in that I had my own
portacomm. It was heated but warmed by the racks of test equipment. I was primarily responsible
for the continued development of our Automated Test Equipment, or ATE.This was a behemoth
test gear which was controlled by an equally huge New Zealand built CP/M computer running
Fortran or was it Cobol from 8 ” floppy. I would write, modify or improve the scripts which in turn
tested the equipment with little intervention or knowledge from a user.
44
45
46
Chapter 3 – Enter the PC
It was 1981, within 6 months we were
blessed by a roll out of Compaq
personal computers. We would be
early adopters. They were supplied
mainly with monochrome green
screens but would be capable of
graphics (Hercules). Sprinklings were
colour, driven by a full length twin
layered CGA card capable of a
whopping 4 cols from a 16 col palette
at a resolution of just 320 or 640x200.
(Compared to 65,000@1980x1080 today!).Yes the Americans had a jump start on us, as usual
were
where
some
1-5
years
behind.
GRAPHICS CARD DEVELOPMENT
MDA
CGA
HGC
EGA
VGA
XGA
SVGA
SXGA
1981
1981
1982
1984
1987
?
1987
?
Monochrome Display Adaptor
Colour Graphics Adaptor
Hercules Graphics Card (MDA+CGA)
Enhanced Graphics Adaptor
Video Graphics Array
Extended Graphics Array
Super VGA, or UVGA
Super XGA
4bit,4k ram, 720x350 text only
4bit 320x200, 640x200
8bit,64-128k, 640x350
64-256k, 640x480
Beg of multi formats
800x600 native & up wdescrn variants
1366x768 native and up. “ ”
They shipped, I think, with MSDOS 1.1, Windows 3.1, Lotus 1 2 3, dBase III and Word. My boss
roughly computerised the workshop system which was a paper laden procedure using dBase. I
taught myself and added to and refined his app. It was to be used up and down the country. Some
ten years later heard it was still in use! I would do the same for the draughting unit, do away with
the paper, making searches a cinch and introducing them to autocad 1.0, still in its infancy. What
is it now?, vers 6 zillion?
Sure we had mainframes with terminals before then, but they were off-limits to the likes of me.
But not for long!
Some six months later we ummed an ahhed over the worlds first portables. Well actually
luggables. Much larger than a sewing machine, or home projector of the day, and with mono
screens and poor battery life to boot. However I would heft one back to my barracks and soak up
what I could. Before long (O.K. then quite a while, they took some convincing they were not
another passing fad, like say L.E.D watches), I was the goto guy,right.
47
48
Computers, far from being just a whim, were finally becoming more accepted. Not affordable for
each household yet, just businesses as they could cost 7k fully pimped. I bought my first in I think
’87 for 4k. No hard drive, just 512 k ram, EGA, twin floppies, the processor being a single core
16bit turbo 8088 from intel. Let’s put that in perspective shall we, that is the closest variant of
8086, a 5mhz 8bit chip, the predecessor of the 80186, next step up from 8086. PCs were made
based round that chip but most used the 8088 the PC 4.7mhz, and the PC XT (8-10mhz). Blinding
eh?
What do we have now?, we get 8+ghz by overclocking! That’s 8000 mhz, 1,000x the speed on a
single core 16bit 8088 compared to today’s 8 core, 64bit WITH integrated maths coprocessor unit.
Anyway, they would be back on the ‘86 family path with the AT’s. 286 so called for the 80286
architecture. Let’s examine a typical mainboard or the 80’s. Note: no fdd/hdd or SATA/eSATA
support, no sodimm ram slots. Just old dynamic dips in 512k, 640k or 1024k. This was extended
mem and only used by upper memory, drivers, TSRs, that sort of thing.
Refer to photo for a typical early ‘80s PC motherboard. Yes, were huge not ATX, not minis or
micros, full size units that wouldn’t fit today’s cases. Nor power supplies, look at that connector!
Doesn’t even have real time clock (RTC) or backup batteries, no floppy or HDD controllers, no
embedded video or sound, has separate optional 8087 math co-processor socket, no usb, no
parallel ports, large DIN sockets (for AT keyboard & analog(ue) audio or MIDI. Orig for tapedecks,
audio could be taken to an amplifier! High tech huh?), by the 90’s these would be replaced by 2
PS/2 connectors. 1 for keyboard, 1 for mouse. Today the majority of either are usb.
49
50
Expansion ports ISA only, no PCI/PCIe slots etc. what else can you spot? Bus connectors plentiful
but these 16bit offerings would need to last XT’S/AT’S until the arrival of 386’s and PCI. It would
be mid-to-late ‘90s before PCIe would make its entrance.
Note BIOS ROM chips. Even though the BIOS was tiny compared to today, look how many ROM
(really PROM’S) chips were needed because they were as yet so small. 8 OR 16Kb, what are they
today, 4mb and growing. Speaking of BIOSes, they were quite rudimentary. Whereas today they
configure every parameter, then it was necessary to set 1 or 2 banks of DIP switches for stuff like
floppy and graphics card configs, whether a co-processor was present, base RAM etc.
More on RTC. Many systems did not bother. Clocks were deemed redundant and not necessary at
first. Heck, that was what watches were for!
Often it was incorporated in a system card (daughterboard) like this. Note the larger battery, 3v
button batteries hadn’t been invented yet. As a tech I often went under the covers. It wasn’t
unusual to find A,B,Cs and in my case D cell batteries strung together!
.
Advance a few years shall we? There were slim pickings when it came to networking. No peer-2peer in Windows yet. Novell, of course, Lantastic was one I played with most. The army being
army of course adopted one little known, a token ring called Banyan Vines. From memory these
would interface our PCs with a super computer called Prime, running on Primos.
A quick word on network(ed) or multiplayer games. While today they’re common place, it would
be mid-90s before they took off. I’m not talking internet either. At first very basic games like
battleships and rudimentary tennis, then shoot-em-ups like Doom took over.
The shadier amongst us will be familiar with peer-to-peer (P2P) torrents. But hang on before you
write me and them off - they are used widely for legal file distribution. There has always been a
rogue group who illegally file share but not torrents per se. Napster was to illegal wares as
51
uTorrent is to the pirate bay today. It pioneered the P2P protocols we see today. Active for two
years it was bought down by copy write infringement. It spurned less successful spin offs, like
Limewire, Gnutellla, eDonkey, to name a few. They, too, would meet the same fate. Ironically
Napster survives today by selling MP3 songs – the very same files they exploited!
52
Chapter 4 – Evolution of the floppy
Storage; be it floppy or hard was all initially magnetic. The heydays were the mid-nineties. It was
rare before then for motherboards to have embedded controllers; as were those after 2000. Avail
in 8” format since the late 60’s they were mainly installed in industrial applications. Late ‘70s early
‘80s, with the introduction of the PC, would see them mostly phased out and replaced by 5.25”.
Now then, densities, although double density of 3.5” was the default, all 3 were classed SSSD
(single sided, single density), SSDD (single sided, double density) or DSDD (brownie points
anyone?).
This would determine capacity, 180k or
360k, or in the case of the more wellknown format 720k or 1.44mb. So DS was
2x the cap of SS. All these drives relied on
the spinning of the flexible magnetic
media inside the cover. So you could
fudge
it
and
call
it
‘electromechnomagnetic’. How’s that for
a new word? just made it up.
Interestingly the drives had can optical
eye (LED) that searched the lack of, or
detection of light thru cut-outs in the
disk’s dust jacket. A disk was then deemed read only, thus write-protected if this area was intact
or, if covered by a small sticker we put on if we wanted to protect a disks content, and said sticker
removed to expose the notch if not. But what about those pre-recorded disks that had no stickers
or cut-outs, but an intact jacket instead? Enter the punch. These simple devices would cut out the
necessary material to remove write
protection and thus let us re-use
commercial disks!
While we had rudimentary low speed 4x
cdrom drives, dvds or combos were yet
to surface, thus we would be limited to 650/700mb. Today, floppies have been superseded by the
dvd optical mediums and more recently the digital medium, with zero moving parts. Hundreds of
times the capacity of floppies, cheaper and smaller. I recall many times completing a backup
spanning several dozen floppies over many hours. Now in
seconds ‘pfffttt’ it’s done. Indeed the need to back up at all
has fallen due to SSD hard drives and cloud services, the
former having no moving parts and extremely low fail rates
(MTBF=mean time before failure).
53
54
Chapter 5 – Programming or taming the beast
Basic, dbase, Pascal of course, then there’s edlin, a little known LIne EDitor called by command
line EDLIN even today. Immensely powerful yet counter-intuitive, I still use today. Although I’ve
still only scratched the surface, here’s a snippet I did just last year, can you see what it does? Non
tech readers can bypass to pg 10 (but why are you here anyway?!) What amazes me, this should
compile
on
msdos
1
or
msdos
6
@cls
@ECHO
COLOR
ECHO
+--------------------------------+
ECHO
:XBMC
ECHO
:(c)2012,2013,
ECHO
+--------------------------------+
NFO
TO
DIR
by
Creator
the
ECHO.IF not EXIST NFO2DIR.TXT (
ECHO Ensure your've read nfo2dir.txt before you run, Press ^^C if you want to abort. .
echo
Because WARNING: This will irreversibly, alter disk structure!!!
ping localhost -n 5 >nul
) else (
START /max notepad NFO2DIR.TXT)
goto miss
if not exist *.nfo (
echo.
ECHO It appears you haven't run vid. export yet!
ping localhost -n 5 >nul
exit /B)
:miss
if "%~1"=="" (
echo.
echo Stacked video files MAY be present, no
echo commandlines given, continuing anyway. .
ping localhost -n 5 >nul)
echo.
echo Please wait. . DON'T INTERRUPT!!
ping localhost -n 5 >nul
for %%a in (*.NFO) do md "%%~na" & move /y "%%~na.*" "%%~na" >nul
if exist (*-fanart.*) (
for %%a in (*.) do (
move /y "%%~na-fanart.*" "%%~na" >nul ) )
if exist (*-poster.*) (
for %%a in (*.) do (
move /y "%%~na-poster.*" "%%~na" > nul ) )
if exist (*-landscape.*) (
for %%a in (*.) do (
move /y "%%~na-landscape.*" "%%~na" >nul ) )
if exist (*-thumb.*) (
for %%a in (*.) do (
move /y "%%~na-thumb.*" "%%~na" >nul ))
if EXIST extrathumbs (
55
V2.00.
:
'Strokeman':
rd /s /q extrathumbs )
if EXIST extrafanart (
rd /s /q extrafanart
echo.
echo extrafanart and extrathumbs dir. deleted
) ELSE (
echo.
echo extrafanart or extrathumbs dir. not found. . .)
goto skip
if not "%~1"=="" (
set a=%1
setlocal EnableDelayedExpansion
56
set b=1
:loop.countChar.2
call set c=%%a:~!b!,1%%
if "%c%"=="" goto end
set /a b+=1
goto loop.countChar.2
goto :EOF)
:end
echo.
echo The following is a listing of files not yet processed
echo It doesn't show your newly created dir. structure!. . .
echo.
dir /a-d-h
ping localhost -n 3 >nul
goto :eof
if not "%~1"=="" (
set end=-%b%
for %%a in (*%1.*) do call :next "%%a"
goto end
:next
set "var=%~n1"
call set "var=%%var:~0,%end%%%"
md "%var%" 2>nul
if "%~1"=="" (
echo moving %1 to "%var%"
move "%~1" "%var%" >nul
goto :EOF
:skip
::if "%~1" == "" goto end
set a=%1
setlocal EnableDelayedExpansion
set b=1
:loop.countChar.2
call set c=%%a:~!b!,1%%
if "%c%"=="" goto end
set /a b+=1
goto loop.countChar.2
:end
::goto :eof
set end=-%b%
for %%a in (*%1.*) do call :next "%%a"
goto :EOF
:next
set "var=%~n1"
call set "var=%%var:~0,%end%%%"
md "%var%" 2>nul
echo moving %1 to "%var%"
move "%~1" "%var%" >nul
echo.
echo Operation Completed Successfully, you will now have to update Library, After
echo that, please run artwork downloader, then enable extrafanart in chosen skin.
ping localhost -n 5 >nul
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58
Chapter 6 - Gaming console craze
Graphics card rendering had much
improving to do. They were not yet
capable of playing the complex 3D superfast games of today, besides the processor
did have enough grunt. Barely a decade
since Atari’s pong, dedicated games
machines were all the rage. Machines into
the ‘80s-‘90s like Nintendo’s Famicons or
NES’s, Sega’s mega cd or the mega gear
and the master system ii etc. In fact there
was a plethora of odd names, specs and formats available. The market was saturated and no
standards or regulations existed. Most of which were cartridge based and not interchangeable.
The bubble burst, slowly terminating all players, leaving just 2 survivors. Sony’s PS/1 and
Microsoft’s
XBOX.
Both based on cdrom games and both exist at time of writing. The PS/4 and Xbox One (replaces
360). The rest, particularly with cartridges, are highly collectable today.
PS/1 1994
PS/2 2000
PS/3 2006
PS/4 2013
SONY
XBOX 2001
360 2005
360 Elite (Jasper)2007
360 Arcade 2007
360 (S)lim 2010
XBOX ONE 2013
MICROSOFT
NB: Release dates US or Japan
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60
Chapter 7 - Getting online, shopping
Still no internet but we had what was known as the
Bulletin Board System or BBS for short. Think like a VPN
or intranet today. Users connected by knowing the
telephone number(s) and using any comms terminal
package capable of displaying ASCII or ANSI graphics via a
modem the likes of Hayes or USR-Robotics brands. Before
them, enter the 300 baud early versions. The acoustically
coupled variety. Whereby the handset was placed in a
special cradle. Users could upload, download, message,
interact with users on other lines, leave text in what’s
known now as blogging or tweeting, play simple games. Uber secure, totally uncensored. It
would not matter the host platform or type. Many were Unix or Amiga based. I recall my
first 1200 baud ISA bus was $800 odd! (no PCI yet). The price of a med pwr laptop, or
tablet today.
Anyway getting teary eyed again! I had one of the biggest and busiest BBS’s in the country.
Multiuser, it boasted three tele lines, thus modems, 2x six cd player SCSI stackers. Large shoebox
size they treated users to 10 CDs (not dvd size volume) full of thousands of shareware apps,
games, pictures and prog trials etc. Bit before digital movies and songs, but had there been, them
too! For this users paid a yearly subscription. As official Australasia distributor of the software
(Searchlight for what its worth), I also sold it too.
So it was natural to develop an online app that took your visa card, validated and charged it. This
app I also sold by the hundreds worldwide. So it seemed
right to have computer wares available in what I believe
was the first online shop in New Zealand if not Asia/Pacific.
Gradually I become a dealer for many companies few of
which still exist todayIt was pretty lucrative. Remember,
this was in the heyday when margins where huge and
supply or choice was limited. It was also hugely satisfying;
orders would spool off my printer (dot matrix still). I’d
wake up and the printer would be click clacking away like a
typewriter or tele printer – who remembers them?! Lasers and inkjets weren’t too far away, but
not here yet.
“Damn army” I would yawn. I had become the golden boy at work, I could do no wrong, discipline
matters would be swept under the carpet, regulation fitness tests and physical training (PT) went
out the window (read my book ‘im stroked to be alive’) for more. I wore civilian attire, carried the
new cellular (so what if it was the size of a brick, I was cool alright) and considered myself
indispensable. Barely 20, I was still somewhat of a rebel.
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62
Chapter 8 – Pulling the rug
I had been moonlighting a year for a startup Second Byte Computers, fixing and breathing a
second wind into PCs and printers. Remember it would be decades before either was a throw
away commodity, superseded before you got home. I worked nightly 2 or 3 nights a week and
most weekends. I liked it, the solitude, the beating of feet in the dark catch the train. These were
the days before gangs, you were safe, and you left your door unlocked, your car, you cared about
your neighbor. Life was simple back then, less stress. I can’t help wondering if technology is to
blame for the hectic pace, the public intrusion today? Well too late, we can’t slow progress now
even if we wanted, it’s just getting started!
The owner, half my age, would leave a list for me to follow. As the business grew so did the list.
I took the risk as we decided fulltime was warranted. I put my notice in to Defence. In order to
receive full benefits, I was required for 1 year more so things would continue as before. By this
time a decade had passed; the army was doing everything in their power to persuade me to
reconsider. This would include at the 11th hour, a 25hr direct flight to the U.K to fit satnav and
comms gear for the Special Boat Squadron (SBS), there equivalent to our Special Air Service (SAS).
It didn’t work. I considered myself to good for the uniform and carried through with my decision. I
worked there for a couple of years, it was fine, and the boss was a generous enough fellow.
Disgruntled with the long train daily commute, and with online business(es) performing well. I
secretly had my knickers in a twist knowing and seeing them build a glorious house together.
Annoyed that I had grown their business one day words were exchanged. I put down my tools,
murmured “f**k this”, and stormed out, thinking to myself if he could do it so could I! I’ve found a
copy of the letter of resignation actually!
CONFIDENTIAL
FOR SHANE XXXXXX
Dear Shane
Having had almost 36 hours to cool off I write this with sound mind.
On Thursday I was very hurt and disappointed at your decision to carry out the end of year
stocktake during what was I thought, obviously enough, a very stressful and inopportune time (oh
yes it really made sense to do one while we were tripping over boxes and boxes of stock, much of
which was still being receipted, and the reverse, stock that hadn't even been ordered yet already
being receipted in to our almost volatile ordering system didn't it.)
Why?, I was in the middle of co-ordinating the preparation and delivery of your $100k+ deal for
our two largest accounts, one of which was a first time dealing during which it is important to give
the best first impressions, and we were already late even without considering a stocktake.
Sure, I think we spoke briefly about Thursday being stocktake day, but this was surely before the
untimely delays - remember we had planned to be in Levin on Wednesday and have everything cut
by the next day, but we barely had the first lid off by Wednesday.
So why on earth would you want to interfere with these proceeding when you knew I was under a
63
64
lot of pressure to deliver?
Just how long is 10 days anyway, the air force must have different ideas, I got the feeling Phil was
expecting his equip on Friday (today).
Along with these pressures there was 2x486's for Eric I couldn't even arrange in time for billing
last month, tens of Trade Up's I hadn't processed for three days, and a support contract for
Software of Excellence I had to have done by Wednesday and you still expected me to drop
everything I was doing and come to the aid of your precious stocktake.
You insult my intelligence once again, I am an artisan with 22 certifications and 14 years’
experience and you want me to just stop the process's which build us, to 'count beans', how many
staff do you need doing it anyway, or did Eric make another untimely visit to the pub with one of
his client 'bro's' again.?
In short you didn't have the foresight to see the stocktake had to wait a few days, while the other
jobs couldn't (or ethically shouldn't)
But it's not just the stocktake Shane, it’s been building up for a long time and basically I am sick of
taking everyone else's shit, while working my guts out to achieve my own personal sales goals as
well as seeing theirs through to completion, being paid peanuts and getting no thanks for it.
If this isn't demoralising enough, the fact that you don't even trust me as your so called 'right hand
man' to sign a bloody cheque is pathetic.
You forget I like yourself and everyone else have dreams and ambitions, I have goals, I want to
succeed, I want to own a 1993 BMW etc, but I just don't think you have given me enough rope to do
it. Therefore it is with great pain that I must be tendering my resignation..
I want this to be as amiable as possible and realise I have may have already left you in an
uncomfortable position with the Horowhenua contract - perhaps you feel now how I often feel compromised.
Yours As Ever
Chapter 9 – The Net matures
I’m not getting into politics, Defense’s ARPANET Etc. It’s been around in some shape or form since
the ‘60s, useable (somewhat) since ‘70s but I date it to 92-94 with the formation of the internet
society. Before that it had very limited access available mostly to academics and ‘secret’ societies.
I tribute them for making it available to the public. Initially it wasn’t pedaled thru the Telcos but
thru portals using a frontend very similar to a BBS terminal program. These portals into the
internet were commonly
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66
67
Compuserve, America Online (aol) or Usenet. They gave us control of various aspects but were not
like the freedom of the internet today. Before html scripting and unified browsing. Before smart
ADSL routers managing calls and data on same line. Nope, callers got a busy signal and if a phone
was picked up apart from an earful of screeching tones, you got a degraded or disconnected
service. So no simultaneous calling out, no. Before broadband and multiplexing ADSL
modems/routers, we only had dialup and 28/33.6k, and later 56k, were luxury’s.
68
69
Alongside its rapid rise, arose the hackers and crackers, the tweakers and phreakers, spam and the
onset of self-propagating multiplying viruses. Before Wi-Fi and firewalls, we were butt naked,
highly ignorant and susceptible to the brilliant but misguided minds who at last had a platform on
which to operate and hide behind. No anti-virus programs etc existed yet. Yes even more
necessary today with global widespread attacks DOS, etc. Generally we are well protected with
up-to-date virus and malware definitions. It’s now the ISPs who are at greater risk.
Returning from COMDEX in Vegas in ‘95, a friend of mine recalls me talking about how (babbling
excitedly I’m sure) I noted that it seemed everyone had a website and its links plastered on
company vehicles, billboards etc. Had advertising in taxis and on subways etc. I predicted we
would follow suit shortly. That was the case, anyone who was anyone touted a website whether
its business implications were known or not. Now while I no longer remember what it’s like to
walk, I also can’t remember a time when the papers, letterheads , business cards, phone books
etc
didn’t
have
these
now
for
granted
stats!
During the rise of the internet . I predicted the move back, not to dialup, but net fragments; pass
worded VPNs if you like. Where Hollywood can’t reach us, for e.g. By the mid 2000’s this was
happening. See the deep web, the dark internet, Darknet, etc.
70
Chapter 10 – Business as usual
’93 I began slowly but surely, a ltd company and was officially in business. Slyly and naughtily, I
grew my customer base using business contacts I had developed over the past few years. I thrived
while Second Byte floundered. They would wind up a few years later. I survived and gathering
some of their previous customers, went from strength to strength. Modelling my business also
around the secondhand market, as well as supplying and installing new. This proved to be an ideal
scenario, not only could I trade in the written off old gear for next to nothing, then install and
service the new gear. Servicing could be immediate 24/7, but for the privilege customers were
charged a flat rate of $255/hr day or night warranty or not. No, that’s not a typo! That’s almost 9
hundy in today’s money.
It didn’t take long to have more equipment than I knew what to do with. It was only natural to
open a retail arm.
71
72
Chapter 11 – Selling Publicly
I opened a shop to the public in ’96. It was a broking service, Valley Broking Services (VBS). While
mainly computers, I would see/ buy/ sell anything from socks to arcade machines and everything
in between, anything I could make money from. Everything was above board, I was a registered
2nd hand dealer, maintained police registers, paid taxes, declared all etc. In hindsight more fool
me! I had 5 staff at the peak and had its doors open for 7 years.
I was disillusioned and disappointed considerably
by my most respected and specially treated
employee. One day while trolling through our
national buy/sell/exchange rag something
sounded too familiar. I rang, arranged to meet the
seller. As we rolled up, I sputtered out ‘Hey, isn’t
hat J**’s place?’
It was, and I don’t know who was more surprised. I
barged in and as if executing a search warrant,
recovered most of the missing gear. God knows
how
long
the
offending
had
occurred. The place
was too big, too busy
to track everything.
Two weeks later there
would
be
an
attempted
smash’n’grab. A large
pane was smashed.
Luckily it was foiled by
a security grill, but
that was the straw
that
broke
the
proverbial.
73
Chapter 12 – Taking a backseat
I was useless, cross and impatient with the public. I simply couldn’t deal with their level of stupidness. Yes, impatient by nature, I could not suffer fools long before putting my foot in it, saying
something sarcastic. I would do more harm than good having a shop presence. So I would stay
home and rarely come in. In addition to consulting and troubleshooting for my major corporate
and government departments. I spent a lot of time designing and developing websites under the
name
Web
Tattoos.
Even today, post stroke I still do. See Appendix D for post stroke examples.
Remember this were the latter part of the nineties, unlike now it was a specialized field with slim
pickings in HTML editors. I’m quite chuffed with them, so have displayed them. Literally I’ve done
dozens. Nowadays, thanks to standards and evolved software, every Tom, Dick and Harry can do.
74
75
Chapter 13 – The Y2K Fiasco
As we entered 2000, there was widespread worldwide nervousness and apprehension despite
there being more than a year to address the problem. And that’s precisely what the multinationals did. At a price tho. New Zealand being the first to usher in the New Year, all eyes were
pinned on us. I wasn’t bothered; I had done my own tests already, but was keen to jump on this
lucrative and handsomely paying speed bump anyway.
Companies required assurance that everything would run as normal and were prepared to pay big
biscuits to ensure it did. Since there were mostly similarities between builds for all companies, it
was just a matter that each had an updated firmware. What worked for one should work for all.
Although rolling over dates made zero difference, I touted disabling of onboard clock and having
‘a y2k certified’ one instead. This despite the PCs receiving clock set commands from the central
server every time they booted!
That
too
had
been
secretly
checked.
Why the bios companies, Award, Phoenix etc didn’t chime in is beyond me and beyond belief
really. The first date came and went with, as expected, nary a prob. Naughty, opportunistic?,
maybe, everyone was doing it and I gave them what they needed: piece of mind. It was my head
on the chopping block after all!
Chapter 14 – Going Full Circle
With the advent of the ‘net, over the next few years orders on the BBS had dramatically
decreased, if not stopped. That, coupled with a revamped Government Computing Services Board
and the new requirement to tender for hardware supply, meant the death of relationships built on
trust and familiarity. If this wasn’t bad enough, everyone else jumped on the bandwagon.
No longer was there a half dozen distributors who would buy your commitment or loyalty with
shop display items, even demo equipment, annual shows, huge Christmas hampers or
equipment’s that wouldn’t need payment until after they’d sold. There were by now dozens of
distributors,
and
margins
had
fallen
to
single
digits.
There was also a wide choice of online websites. BBSes had been resigned to the gutter,
subscriptions even ceased. I also blame the development of auction sites like eBay. Let me
interject here. The worst gamble I’ve taken involves eBay - stocks actually. I’m no stranger to
danger, I’ve played high roller slots in Vegas at $25 a pull. However, I was advised in ’97 before it
went public the next year to invest heavily, that it was the next ‘sure’ thing. I had some spare cash
burning holes, some 15k, so I NEARLY did. But knowing little about stocks and knowing dot com
companies were renown for failing, I pulled out (ok chickened out then) at the last minute. I
purchased a batch instead. Had I taken the tip-off it would overnight be worth 29k! Today it
would be worth 810k. Have I got that right? I’m sure I have. Naturally, a decision badly made.
76
Incidentally my friend who warned me invested 50k and is worth 2.7 mil already! It has made
speculating on other shares too nerve racking to ever learn much. Anyway: spilt milk now.
My wife wound the company up in 2011, post-stroke. I ended solvent and asset rich, but much
longer and I would be filing for bankruptcy.
77
Chapter 15 – Stroke of bad luck
One morning in late January I awoke feeling ‘queer’. I could barely get out of bed, vocalizing was
difficult, I mumbled incoherently as if a bee had stung my tongue. I had symptoms from six weeks
ago which had been misdiagnosed. The ambulance drivers suggested I’d had ‘a good night’
but
in
reality
I
had
suffered
a
stroke
in
my
sleep.
Cruelly, it was just hours before I was scheduled for an MRI scan, which may have disclosed what
was going on. You see, I had misdiagnosed symptoms for six weeks. Essentially they were micro
strokes (TIAs). The clot which would eventually win and obstruct flow, thus oxygen, was just
settling in.
Not just a stroke. The worst kind, a brainstem stroke, one not normally survivable. I cannot speak,
walk, and only have limited movement in my left non-dominant arm. Despite been written off, I
survived, I shouldn’t have by all rights. Locked-in I was supposed to only blink and take liquid only
sustenance by tube and liquid into a tube put directly into my stomach, bypassing the throat
altogether due to compromised or un-learned swallowing.
I look at that wee round scar most days in the shower and re-live the journey that changed our
lives instantly and forever (my family’s). A journey you can also freely read Im Stroked to be
Alive.
You
know
where,
right?
But never one to quit or heed to authority, I survive today in spite of adversary. However
swallowing and eating, indeed just breathing, have been and continue to be a challenge. It was 5
months
before
I
could
eat
solids
again.
After a year’s rehabilitation I’m profoundly disabled, a tetraplegic; working is now just a distant
memory. It has been, and is still, uber frustrating for me and I daresay anybody. Things which
used to be automatic are now a real challenge, if not impossible. Tasks like plugging a cable, a
USB stick, inserting a cd disc so and on and so on. It’s endless. I reside in an assisted living facility.
It’s not so bad, my dear wife visits daily (so praps it is then? ;).
78
Chapter 16 – So Long, Farewell
You know, it isn’t much fun living in this broken shell, a mere husk. Sure I’m comfortable, debt and
worry free now, but I’m ready to depart this mortal coil someday soon. But maybe, hopefully, not
for a decade or two yet!
I’m unable to work but I want to. When you have a job you love, its not work at all!
Sure I’ll miss the norm, wife, kids, family, smells of cutgrass, fresh bread and coffee that sort of
thing,
but
do
you
know
what
I’ll
also
miss?
The journey and growth technology can take us. Extrapolating the development I have witnessed
so far, its sure to be one hell of a ride. Hang on tight, fasten your seatbelts…
End
Be sure to check out my other free books on www.imstroked.com and hopefully the app store.
79
Bonus Section
Computers & Disability.
An option using cheap IOS applications from iTunes.
80
81
Appendix A – Computers in disability
ESPECIALLY FOR VICTIMS LEFT UNABLE TO SPEAK i.e Dysarthria, not for
those that have receptive aphasia (Dysphasia or
cognitive/comprehesion) issues, just facial muscle control issues.
Yin and yang. While I blame computers for the sedentary nights and the
3a.m. mornings, and are largely to blame for the state I now find myself
in, they have been my crux, my first aid kit, responsible for the pace of
my rehab and again my constant companion. Computers give me independence, freedom, a
reason to want to get up each morning. An interest to occupy my day. Some here seemingly have
nothing better to-do than watch the menu for tomorrow’s fare, enquire about who’s caring for
them tonight. This, the highlight of their day. Bugger that, if I get institutionalised like that, don’t
resuscitate me, really. It is my vehicle now, my world trip, no, universe. And everything in
between. My opening to the vast beyond, my escape. Yes, it always has been but MORE so now. I
am at a loss, grounded, lost without it. Above all though, it’s my VOICE!
notepad ++- $0
For the ability to communicate I use the free NOTEPAD ++ to type out
exactly what I require for the staff to do for me. Using its tabbed capabilities
I leave detailed instructions to my I.T. guy, others to my builder, yet more
for the wife, though she can usually understand my quiet mutterings.
Email and Facebooks private messaging is my preferred method of comms, whether reception or
CEO, it matters not. I use it to research my medications and side effects. As such, I have reduced
my medication from 11 tablets 3 times daily, to just 4 in mornings only.
Okay, it’s pretty obvious I like my PC, but I love my air (iPad 5)!. This baby lets me read the news,
read or hear books, Facebook, play games or control my PC to watch on-demand tv, movies,
YouTube etc on my 64” tele with ease, all wirelessly many metres away in the comfort and
82
warmth of my bed! It won’t matter what size, whether Android or IOS. Realize these are just apps
‘I’ use, not necessarily the only or best available.
Of course, this assumes you have access to iPhone or iPad even a mac like MacBook or iMac etc
(ios). A lot of you will have an iPhone so I will use its screenshots, although iPad etc has a larger
clearer screen, especially the retina models. The pricing will fluctuate with the exchange rate, use
as guide only.
Ispeech - $0/$4
Let’s ‘talk’ first about the most used, ‘ispeech’. It allows me to type, speaking the
phrase out and allowing me to save them. There are two American and two English
inflections, plus optional in-app purchase of Presidents Bush and Obama or celebrity
voices. These days helpers will just read directly from screen. It is avail free (with ad nags) or pro
version which removes ads. It also has dictation and translation plug -ins. There are many alternatives,
just search stores for speech.
oral motor exercises - $0
Next, most often used, we have oral motor (exercises). These are a menu of exercises for
the face and tongue muscles. They are free. Zip, nada, nothing, zilch. You can
select which videos with spoken demonstration will appear. I have trouble with S
and Ts, so videos that make that sound are used. Highly recommended for our dropping drooling
faces! Since using them, I can more or less retain my saliva.
83
Once you learn which ones are most beneficial to you, you can practise anywhere, anytime, once you get
over the fact people may wonder what the hell you’re making faces for!
hip hop hens abc flashcards - $5
For under 5’s actually, this flashcard app lets you mouth along to rhyming phonics songs
and learn letter sounds. It may be for kids, but like them we need to learn (or re-learn),
forming
these
necessary
sounds.
interactive alphabet - $5
Letters are sounded and you are presented with many objects that start with that letter so
you try to say that too, e.g. ‘A’ ant, ambulance, apple etc. You have the option of playing
84
with sound or not. You can select just the letters you have difficulty with. For me T’s and S’s.
abc writer - $0
There are so many of these I’m sure you will find one you like. It is simply a letter
tracing app. Early on I had to give my wife power of attorney because I could not
write with my left non-dominant hand. With the help of this app I can now write
and sign again.
85
In summary then, I want you to realise how widespread these helpful apps are. 10-15 years ago
pickings would have been slim. If ever there was a better time to suffer a stroke it’s from now on.
And not just because of computers. Survival rates have sky rocketed in hospitalisation, improved
rehab and more assisted live-in in communities and homes.
Just a few decades ago we would have been hidden away, left in a corner somewhere dribbling. I
obviously attribute advances in technology, of course, but also the internet, particularly social
sites like Facebook and Twitter, spreading the word about us.
It makes little sense to try and charge beneficiaries exorbitant prices when there are so many
choices which are free or under $10. Please search iTunes app store or google to search. If you’re
at a dead end, try my book. At the time of writing it’s not fit for consumption but please look on
imstroked.com for latest. Bye, and may you recover a least as well as me.
86
Appendix B – 1993 pricelist
I still remember my brother Steve and I, having inherited some money, did conspire to treat us a
‘large’ hdd each. We decided on the leading edge at the time, the Seagate Quantum Bigfoot. With
1280MB of storage in a 5.25” form factor we thought would be impossible to fill and we thought
ourselves the dogs dinner. But only for a month or so. I believe we just got loose change from
$1500 EACH! What are they now? At time of writing 1,000,000Mb (1Tb) are $80 bucks and
dropping daily.
This was of course way before SATA and SSD (solid state, i.e. no moving parts). Today we have 4TB
in either format, be prepared to pay many thou (25?) for the SSD version tho. This at time of
writing. When aged two, IBM’s ‘super ‘computer had the biggest avail 7Mb! Strange referring to it
as super when ‘70’s calculators had more raw power.
still at 10%.
Prices inc tax (GST) which remember was
ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS
ACCEPTED
F R E E - 30 day full membership to our Bulletin Board with every purchase!!
GENERAL INFORMATION: This catalogue is only a small sample of our full product
range.
Please feel free to contact us for quotes on any other equipment’s. For better
descriptions of these products we are happy to provide you with more technical
specifications, warranty and support information, or send out brochures etc on
request.
ISSUE # 2 JUNE/JULY 1993 - Update History
This Catalogue superceeds all previous issues, please dispose of older releases.
New Products just released or just days away, are marked in Bold Print. There has
been huge price reductions on Hard disks and Motherboards, and MPC kits since last
issue.
Many New Software and Hardware products added including PC's. Printers and Notebooks.
DIRECT CREDIT, BANK CHEQUE
OR PERSONAL CHEQUES WELCOME
MOTHERBOARDS, RAM, CPU'S & NPU'S,
Notes:
Ram prices are subject to change without notice. Motherboards are of top quality and are 100% Novell, OS/2,
SCO etc compliant. Post 1990 AMI Bios and recognised Chipsets.
Cache RAM Upgrade 64k-128k, or 128k-256k
CPU Only AMD 386DX, 40Mhz
CPU Only INTEL 486SX, 25Mhz
CPU Only INTEL 486DX, 33Mhz
CPU Only INTEL 486DX, 50Mhz
CPU Only INTEL 486DX/2, 50Mhz
CPU Only INTEL 486DX/2, 66Mhz
Cyrix/IIT Maths CoProcessor,80387SX-20
Cyrix/IIT Maths CoProcessor,80387SX-25
Ex GST
TOTAL
80.00
201.24
275.55
746.67
995.55
955.55
1222.22
148.40
148.40
90.00
226.40
310.00
840.00
1120.00
1075.00
1375.00
166.95
166.95
87
Ex GST
1
MBoard 486SX25, VESA, 256k, Upgradeable
MBoard 486DX33, VESA, 256k, AMI, Upgradeable
MBoard 486DX33, EISA, 128k, AMI, Upgradeable
MBoard 486DX50, EISA, 128k, AMI, Upgradeable
MBoard 486DX50, ISA, 128k, AMI, Upgradeable
MBoard 486DX/2 50, VESA, 256k, Upgradeable
MBoard 486DX/2 66, VESA, 256k, Upgradeable
RAM 1Mbx4 70nS DIP
RAM 1Mbx4 70nS ZIP
506.68
973.33
1368.88
1644.44
1306.66
1182.22
1448.88
54.00
40.00
TOTAL
570.00
1095.00
1540.00
1850.00
1470.00
1330.00
1630.00
60.75
45.00
Cyrix/IIT Maths CoProcessor,80387SX-33
Cyrix/IIT Maths CoProcessor,80387DX-33
Cyrix/IIT Maths CoProcessor,80387DX-40
Cyrix/IIT Maths CoProcessor,80387SL
MBoard 386DX40, ISA,128k, Upgradeable
MBoard 386DX40, ISA,128k, non upgradable
MBoard 386SX40, AMI,OPTI Chipset, SIMM Ram
Key:
148.40
159.87
194.62
217.33
377.77
354.66
244.44
166.95
179.85
218.95
244.50
425.00
399.00
275.00
RAM 1Mbx9 70nS 3 chip SIMM
RAM 1Mbx9 80nS SIP
RAM 1Mbx9 80nS SIP
RAM 256kx4 70nS DIP
RAM 4Mbx9 60nS SIMM
RAM 4Mbx9 80nS SIMM
71.11
88.00
88.00
10.22
315.55
315.55
80.00
99.00
99.00
11.50
355.95
355.95
Add $15.00 freight except Ram add $4.00 per
order, CoPro's 6.00 per order
1 - All 486 Motherboards marked VESA have 3x32bit VL Local Bus, 6x16bit & 2x8bit ISA Bus. OPTI ChipSet,AMI Bios
HARD, FLOPPY, OPTICAL & TAPE DRIVES
Notes:
WARRANTYS: All Quantum <700MB, All Maxtor and Western Digital <170MB - 2yr Western Digital 170MB and up - 3yr
Quantum 700-1225MB 5yr. Drive pricing is very competitive at the moment. Call for the best Price, we will better
any price found elsewhere!
Ex GST
Col Powertape 2400 Int 2.4GB Tape Drive
Col Trakker 120MB Ext Para' Port Tape Drv
Col Trakker 250MB Ext Para' Port Tape Drv
Colorado Jumbo Int 120MB Qic40 Tape Drv
Colorado Jumbo Int 250MB Qic80 Tape Drv
Colorado Jumbo OS/2 Tape Backup S/ware
Colorado Tape Backup for Windows
Insite Floptical 20Mb 3½" Disk Drive
IOMEGA Insider 3½" LP 250Mb QIC80 Drive
Maxtor Tahiti 1GB/650Mb 35mS SCSI Optical
OC650/512 Magneto-Optical 650MB DS Media
OC1000/512 Mag-Optical 1GB DS Media
Panasonic 1.2Mb 5¼" Floppy Disk
Panasonic 1.44Mb 3½" Floppy Disk
Pinnacle Super Fast 19mS 650MB Optical+I/F
QUANTUM 170MB IDE,17mS,32kb 1" Hard Disk
QUANTUM 170MB SCSI,17mS,32kb 1" Hard Disk
QUANTUM 85MB IDE,17mS,32kb 1" Hard Disk
QUANTUM 85MB SCSI,17mS,32kb 1" Hard Disk
QUANTUM GO 2.5" IDE (Laptops) 160MB/17mS
2484.44
953.33
1173.33
415.77
567.06
210.00
97.77
844.44
689.73
6217.77
551.11
600.00
131.06
105.77
7906.66
621.33
622.22
422.22
444.44
1288.88
TOTAL
2795.00
1072.50
1320.00
467.75
637.95
236.25
110.00
950.00
775.95
6995.00
620.00
675.00
147.45
119.00
8895.00
699.00
700.00
475.00
500.00
1450.00
Ex GST
QUANTUM GO 2.5" IDE (Laptops) 80MB/17mS
QUANTUM GO 2.5" SCSI (Laptops) 160MB/17mS
QUANTUM GO 2.5" SCSI (Laptops) 80MB/17mS
QUANTUM 240MB IDE,16mS,256kb 1" Hard Disk
QUANTUM 240MB SCSI,16mS,256kb 1"Hard Disk
QUANTUM 525MB IDE,10mS,512kb Hard Disk
QUANTUM 525MB SCSI,10mS,512kb Hard Disk
QUANTUM 700MB SCSI,10mS,512kb Hard Disk
QUANTUM 1050MB SCSI,<10mS,512kb Hard Disk
QUANTUM 1225MB SCSI,<10mS,512kb Hard Disk
Western Digital Caviar 1" 12mS 255MB IDE
Western Digital Caviar 1" 12mS 340MB IDE
Western Digital Caviar 1" 13mS 170MB IDE
Western Digital Caviar 1" 13mS 210MB IDE
Western Digital Caviar 1" 13mS 420MB IDE
Western Digital Caviar 1" 14mS 125MB IDE
Western Digital Caviar 1" 16mS 62MB IDE
Western Digital Caviar 1" 16mS 85MB IDE
702.22
1377.77
795.55
742.22
768.88
1977.77
1866.66
2395.55
2484.44
2800.00
680.00
897.77
576.88
622.22
1240.00
524.44
377.77
422.22
TOTAL
790.00
1550.00
895.00
835.00
865.00
2225.00
2100.00
2695.00
2795.00
3150.00
765.00
1010.00
649.00
700.00
1395.00
590.00
425.00
475.00
Prices Include GST, Add $10.00 for freight
NETWORKING SOLUTIONS & LAN CARDS
Notes:
We can supply the full range of 3COM, Intel, SMC, Tops and Xircom Networking products including Hubs, Tranceivers,
Concentrators, MAU's and Print solutions etc. Ask about Lantastic/Novell Cross grades, MHS gateways.
User licenses in available in 1,5,10,25,100 and unlimited user license packs. We can consult and install for you.
Ex GST
AE2 NetMedia Sounding Boards Starter Kit
ArtiSoft 2Mbps Network Adaptor Card
ArtiSoft Sounding Board Adaptor Kit (ISA)
ArtiSoft The Network Eye
ArtiSofts ArtiCom Modem Sharing Software
CO/Session Two PC (Host & Remote)
Futurus Lite Mail DOS - Five Node Pack
Futurus Lite Mail DOS - Single Node
GeniLan BOOT PROM for NE1000,2000
GeniLan NE2000 16 bit Ethernet & drvs
LANtastic 2Mbps Windows Starter Kit
LANtastic Ether 2Node Starter Kit V5.0 for DOS
LANtastic Ether 2Node Starter Kit V5.0 for DOS
LANtastic for TCP/IP - 1 user license
LANtastic V5.0 NOS for DOS - Unlimited license
LANtastic V5.0 NOS for DOS / WIN - Unlimited
LANtastic Z (parallel) Starter Kit - 2 user
1421.33
354.66
194.66
354.66
621.33
364.44
390.22
79.11
23.06
182.84
1154.66
1154.66
154.66
443.55
265.77
443.55
203.55
TOTAL
1599.00
399.00
219.00
399.00
699.00
410.00
439.00
89.00
25.95
205.70
1299.00
1299.00
1299.00
499.00
299.00
499.00
229.00
Ex GST
LANtastic/AI 2Mbps Network DOS Starter Kit
LANtastic/AI V5.0 NOS - Single Node DOS
LANtastic/AI V5.0 NOS - Single Node DOS / WIN
LANtastic/AI V5.0 NOS - Six Node DOS
LANtastic/AI V5.0 NOS - Six Node DOS / WIN
LANtastic/AI V5.0 NOS - Twelve Node DOS
LANtastic/AI V5.0 NOS - Twelve Node DOS/WIN
NE1000 8bit Ethernet Card
NE2000 16bit Coax & 10BaseT Card
NE2100 16bit Coax OR 10BaseT
NodeRunner2000/C Starter Kit DOS & Windows
Session XL
TP NE2000 16bit Compat Ethernet & drvs
WD8003 8bit Ethernet & 10baseT Card
WD8013 16bit Ethernet & 10baseT Card
WINPort Windows Fax&Modem Sharing 1 Modem
WINPort Windows Fax&Modem Sharing 2 Modem
976.88
212.44
248.00
1065.77
1243.55
1954.66
2221.33
164.44
195.55
248.88
1332.44
265.77
164.44
212.44
265.77
585.77
754.66
TOTAL
1099.00
239.00
279.00
1199.00
1399.00
2199.00
2499.00
185.00
220.00
280.00
1499.00
299.00
185.00
239.00
299.00
659.00
849.00
Add $6.00 incl GST for freight
CASES, MONITORS, POWER SUPPLYS & UPS's
Ex GST
250VA Uninteruptable Power Supply (UPS)
350VA UPS with PC Interface
550VA UPS with PC Interface
800VA UPS with PC Interface
1.4KVA UPS with PC Interface
Case, Full Tower with 230W PSU
Computer Case, Fliptop, with 200W PSU
Computer Case, Slimline, with 100W PSU
621.33
914.66
1177.77
2204.44
2831.11
333.33
159.95
151.11
TOTAL
699.00
1029.00
1325.00
2480.00
3185.00
375.00
179.95
170.00
88
Drive Case, 2HH or 1FH with 50W PSU
MGA 14" SVGA 1024*768 Int .28dpi
Power Supply,200W,210x140x120mm, paddle
Power Supply,200W,212x150x150mm, rocker
Power Supply,200W,150x140x86mm, pushbutt
Power Supply,200W,150x140x86mm, paddle
Power Supply,200W,212x150x150mm, paddle
TP-250LR 1024x768, Low RadiatIon 14" Interlaced
Ex GST
TOTAL
228.84
568.88
113.77
133.77
120.75
113.77
120.75
613.33
257.45
640.00
128.00
128.00
135.85
128.00
135.85
690.00
Computer Case, Mini Tower, 200W PSU
CN-1469 14" dual freq Paper White 1024x768
CN-1469 14" dual freq SVGA Colour 1024x768
DN-1782 17" 29-81k NI .26mm SVGA Colour 1
191.11
253.33
528.88
1800.00
215.00
285.00
595.00
2025.00
TP-250NL 1024x768, Low Rad 14" NON Interlaced 684.44
TP-550N 1024x768, Low Rad 15" NON Interlaced 871.11
TP-750N 1024x768, Low Rad 17" NON Interlaced 1773.33
770.00
980.00
1995.00
Add $15.00 incl GST for freight
Key:
1
- Digital 29-81k, 1280x1024, Non Interlaced, .26mm pitch, Call for Spec Sheets etc.
CDROM DRIVES, MULTIMEDIA KITS, VIDEO & SOUND CARDS
Notes:
Please enquire about the CDROM software packaged with our multimedia bundles. Call for Creative Labs ASP 16
MPC kits which have a dual speed CDROM drive etc. Other titles available with each Creative Labs MPC Kit purchase.
Ex GST
ATI Stereo FX/ +CD Interface Sound Card
ATI Stereo/ FX + 1Mb Wonder XL VGA Card
ATI Stereo/FX Sound Card
Aztech Multimedia CDROM/PRO/Spkrs/Sware
1
Aztech Sound Galaxy BX11, Sound Card
Aztech Sound Galaxy NX11 PRO Stereo, Card
Aztech Sound Galaxy NX11 PRO16 Sound Card
CDROM Disk Caddy (fits all drives)
3
Creative Labs MPC CDROM kit +8 CD Titles
Creative Labs Port Blaster for Laptops
4
Creative Labs MPC Starter Kit
Creative Labs Soundblaster 16 ASP
Creative Labs Soundblaster MIDI kit
Creative Labs Soundblaster PRO Stereo
Creative Labs Soundblaster V2.0
Creative Video Blaster DigiCapture
Creative Video Spigot DigiCapture
Local Bus Video ET4000 16M colour
Logitech Soundman Sound Card
Logitech Audioman Sound Card
MIDI Blaster Sampled Sound MIDI Module
MPC ROM upgrade kit for Soundblaster 2.0
413.33
586.66
368.88
955.55
142.22
360.84
533.33
17.77
1111.11
354.66
795.55
532.44
97.77
311.11
159.11
800.00
TBA
327.77
440.00
311.11
496.22
811.11
TOTAL
465.00
660.00
415.00
1075.00
160.00
405.95
600.00
20.00
1250.00
399.00
895.00
599.00
110.00
350.00
179.00
900.00
TBA
368.75
495.00
350.00
558.25
912.50
NEC CDR-37 Portable Ext SCSI CDROM Drive
NEC CDR-74 EXT SCSI 280ms/300KB CDROM
NEC CDR-84 INT SCSI 280ms/300KB CDROM
Panasonic AT bus CDROM Drive Int c/w i/f
Paradise VGA Windows Accelerator 1Mb
Pinnacle External CDROM,Host Adaptor,cables
Pioneer 6 Disk Caddy for Jukebox
Pioneer 6 Disk CDROM Jukebox (SCSI i/f Reqd)
Quantum (Trid 8900CL) SVGA 1Mb card
Quantum (Trid 8900CL) SVGA 256kb card
Quantum (Trid 8900CL) SVGA 512kb card
Quantum (Trident 9000) SVGA 256kb card
Quantum (Trident 9000) SVGA 512kb card
SONY SCSI External CDROM Drive
SONY SCSI Internal CDROM Drive
Soundblaster Developers Kit
Soundblaster Microphone
VESA Local Bus CIRRUS Win Accel, 16M col
Video Blaster Developers Kit
Waveblaster upgrade for Soundblaster 16 ASP
WinMAX 32 5186 Windows Accel 512K 72hz
2
Ex GST
TOTAL
TBA
1355.55
1106.66
675.55
265.77
888.88
56.88
3284.44
157.55
95.42
113.77
78.17
90.84
1200.00
995.55
146.62
35.55
339.24
146.62
354.66
281.73
TBA
1525.00
1245.00
760.00
299.00
1000.00
64.00
3695.00
177.25
107.35
128.00
87.95
102.20
1350.00
1120.00
164.95
40.00
381.65
164.95
399.00
316.95
Add $15.00 incl GST for freight
Key:
- The Aztech range are 100% compatible with Adlib,Covox,Soundblaster and Disney Sound Source.
- Compatible with Soundblaster Pro, ASP and Clone Sound Card ROM I/F's .
3 - Add $199 for Creative Labs MPC Kits for External Mounting of CDROM Drive.
4 - Includes CR523B Int CDROM Drive, Soundblaster Pro, Speakers and Two Titles.
1
2
MODEMS & INTELLIGENT SERIAL CARDS
Notes:
All modems are telepermitted. Wanting to know more about establishing a BBS for your business or club, we have the
answers. Contact us. Special discount for Sysops. We supply the Stargate Technologies range of Intelligent Serial boards
with drivers for DOS/Unix/Xenix & OS/2 etc. The Mini modems are battery powered 'mouse style' for desktops, laptops etc.
Ex GST
ACL 4 Port Serial 16KB/8KB scratch, 8088
ACL 8 Port Serial 16KB/8KB scratch, 80188
ACLIIR Intelligent 8 Port Serial Card (DB25)
Dynalink Ext Fax/Modem 14.4K V32b/V42bis
Dynalink Internal Fax/Modem 14.4K v32b/V42bis
Dynalink Mini 2400M 12/2400. 4800 Send Fax
Dynalink Mini 9624AM 12/24 9600 Send/Rcv Fax
955.55
1311.11
799.11
621.33
498.66
222.22
320.00
TOTAL
1075.00
1475.00
899.00
699.00
561.00
250.00
360.00
Ex GST
Dynalink Mini 9624VAM 12/24/96 MNP5 S/R Fax
Dynalink Mini 9648AM 12/24 48 Rcv 96 Snd Fax
Dynalink Mini Fax/Modem 14.4K V32b/V42bis
SP Series 2400 Data, 9600 Send/ 4800 Rcv Fax
SP Series 2400Bd Data, 9600 Send Fax Only
SP Series 2400MNP1-5 Data, 9600 Send/Rcv Fax
354.66
288.88
710.22
222.22
176.88
328.88
TOTAL
399.00
325.00
799.00
250.00
199.00
370.00
Prices Include GST, Add $6.00 for freight
MICE, KEYBOARDS, SCANNERS, & DIGITISERS
Digitizer,GT-609 9" x 6"
Digitizer,Genius 1212 12" x 12"
Genius LC Mouse with drivers
Genius Mouse One Microsoft 2 button
Genius Mouse One Microsoft 3 button
Joystick, IBM Compatible
Logitech First Mouse
Logitech Fotoman Digital Camera B&W
Logitech Kidz Mouse
Logitech Mouseman Bus Mouse
Logitech Mouseman Combo Left Hand
Logitech Mouseman Combo Right Hand
Logitech Mouseman Cordless
Logitech Mouseman Large
Logitech Scanman 24bit Colour Scanner
Ex GST
TOTAL
287.06
711.11
32.22
39.06
39.06
28.40
79.11
1555.00
102.22
160.00
160.00
160.00
262.22
160.00
1373.33
322.95
800.00
36.25
43.95
43.95
31.95
89.00
1750.00
115.00
180.00
180.00
180.00
295.00
180.00
1545.00
89
Ex GST
Logitech Scanman 256 + Catchword Pro OCR
Logitech Scanman 256 Gray for Windows
Logitech Scanman 32 + Catchword OCR
Logitech Scanman 32 Gray B&W Scanner
Logitech Trackman Portable Combo
Logitech Trackman Serial
Microsoft Mouse V2.0 - Serial
Microsoft Mouse V2.0 - Bus c/w Card
Nan Tan, soft touch 101 keyboard
Scanner A4 Flatbed 1200dpi+if 256 Colour
Scanner A4 Flatbed 300dpi+i/f 256 grey
Scanner A4 Flatbed 800dpi+if 256 Colour
Scanner Genius B105GX w/IPhoto 256 grey
Scanner Genius GS-4500, w/OCR, 16 grey
Scanner Genius GS-C105+ w/IPhoto colour
1
817.77
706.66
497.77
386.66
231.11
200.00
166.66
186.66
52.88
2688.88
1217.77
2302.22
366.84
252.40
895.86
TOTAL
920.00
795.00
560.00
435.00
260.00
225.00
187.50
210.00
59.50
3025.00
1370.00
2590.00
412.70
283.95
1007.85
Add $6.00 incl GST for freight
Key:
1
- Choice of Tactile or Membrane Keyswitch.
ISA, EISA & LOCAL BUS CONTROLLER CARDS
Notes:
We supply the full range of Advantech A/D Industrial Control products, toolcards and programmers etc. We can obtain
even the most obscure peripheral. Enquire.Most Caching Controllers use SIMM RAM and are supplied with 0Kb populated.
16bit ISA IDE Caching HD Controller
16bit ISA SCSI (Non Cacheable) HD Controller
32bit EISA IDE Caching HD Controller
32bit EISA SCSI Caching HD Controller
AT, IDE (AT Bus) HDD/FDD Controller
AT,IDE,HD,FD,I/O & SVGA 1MB Combo Contrl
AT IDE,HDD,FDD,2xSer,1xPar Super I/O Cntl
Local Bus IDE Caching HD Controller
Local Bus Video ET4000 16M colour
Ex GST
TOTAL
248.88
330.22
330.22
330.22
30.17
205.28
44.84
420.00
327.77
280.00
371.50
371.50
371.50
33.95
230.95
50.45
472.50
368.75
Ex GST
Orchid RamQuest 1-32Mb Card,ISA Bus,Master
PSI ISA IDE caching contrl, (SIMM Ram)
Single Parallel Port XT or AT
Twin Port game/joystick cards
UltraStor ISA, SCSI-2 8Mb/sec, non busmast
UltraStor ISA, SCSI-2 10Mb/sec, BusMastr
VESA LBus IDE Caching Cntrler (4xHD,SIMM)
VESA LBus IDE Multi I/O Cntrler no cache
XT/AT, SCSI 8bit HDD/FDD Controller
309.28
366.88
40.00
33.33
327.86
550.40
562.62
124.44
98.88
TOTAL
347.95
412.75
45.00
37.50
386.85
619.20
632.95
140.00
111.25
Add $6.00 incl GST for freight
DATA PRODUCTS AND SHARING SOLUTIONS
Notes:
We have the experience to determine what product and where it can be used to best suit your requirements. Full range of
cables and adaptors also available. Distributors for QwikShare II, ByteNet, ByteLink and ExeNet Print Servers/Sharers.
Ex GST
TOTAL
16.84
103.95
103.95
441.73
284.88
303.06
103.95
103.95
241.73
284.88
303.06
151.06
201.73
16.84
39.06
103.95
18.95
116.95
116.95
271.95
320.50
340.95
116.95
116.95
271.95
320.50
340.95
169.95
226.95
18.95
43.95
116.95
Ex GST
TOTAL
18 LED RS232 Data Tester
AutoSwitch Parallel 1 in 2 out + psu
AutoSwitch Parallel 2 in 1 out + psu
AutoSwitch Parallel 4 in 1 out + psu
AutoSwitch Parallel 4 in 2 out + psu
AutoSwitch Parallel 8 in 1 out + psu
AutoSwitch Serial 1 in 2 out + psu
AutoSwitch Serial 2 in 1 out + psu
AutoSwitch Serial 4 in 1 out + psu
AutoSwitch Serial 4 in 2 out + psu
AutoSwitch Serial 8 in 1 out + psu
Bi-Directional Converter
Bi-Directional Converter w/256k buffer
D25 Serial Jumper/breakout box
Manual Centronics AB 2 position switch
Manual Centronics AB 2 position switch
Manual Centronics ABC 3 position switch
Manual Centronics ABCD 4 position switch
Manual D25 Crossover ABX 2 pos switch
Manual D25 Straighthru AB 2 pos switch
Manual D25 Straighthru ABC 3 pos switch
Manual D25 Straighthru ABCD 4 pos switch
Monitor & Keyboard ABCD 4 pos switch
Parallel Buffer 256k exp 1M
Parallel Buffer 256k no exp
Parallel Port Extender (twisted pair)
Parallel to Serial Converter
SCSI Terminator D50
Serial Buffer 1M exp 4M
Serial to Parallel Converter
Printer Cable (All parallel printers)
57.73
66.66
57.73
37.28
48.84
57.73
63.95
347.33
230.17
92.40
111.95
20.44
462.22
111.95
14.00
64.95
75.00
64.95
41.95
54.95
64.95
71.95
390.75
258.95
103.95
125.95
23.00
520.00
125.95
15.75
Add $6.00 incl GST for freight
CONSUMABLES & MISCELLANEOUS
Notes:
Discounts available for bulk ordering, please enquire.
Ex GST
3M 3½" DSHD Boxed Diskettes
3M 5¼" DSHD Boxed Diskettes
3M DC2000 40Mb formatted tape
3M DC2060 60MB formatted tape
3M DC2080 80Mb unformatted tape
3M DC2120 120MB Five-Pack unform tapes
3M DC2120 120MB Two-Pack unform tapes
3M DC600A 60MB Five-Pack unformatted tapes
3M DC600A 60MB unformatted tape
3M DC6150 150MB Five-Pack unform tapes
3M DC6150 150MB unformatted tape
33.77
22.22
51.51
51.51
51.51
236.40
97.77
262.22
53.33
265.77
55.06
TOTAL
38.00
25.00
57.95
57.95
57.95
265.95
110.00
298.00
60.00
299.00
61.95
3M DC6250 250MB Five-Pack unform tapes
3M DC6250 250MB unformatted tape
3M DC6525 525MB Five-Pack unform tapes
3M DC6525 525MB unformatted tape
3M Magnus 2.0GB Cartridge (for Powertape)
Floptical Diskette Media 21MB Optical
OC650/512 Magneto-Optical 650MB DS Media
OC1000/512 Mag-Optical 1GB DS Media
Universal 3½" to 5¼" mounting kit
Verbatim 3½" DSHD Boxed Diskettes
Verbatim 5¼" DSHD Boxed Diskettes
Ex GST
TOTAL
320.14
78.22
386.66
80.00
106.66
62.08
551.11
600.00
20.00
33.77
22.22
360.15
88.00
435.00
90.00
120.00
69.85
620.00
675.00
22.50
38.00
25.00
Add $6.00 incl GST for freight
PC APPLICATION SOFTWARE - DOS
Notes:
Demonstration packages may be available on request.
Please specify the media you desire with your order. Ask about our Education discounts.
AutoDesk Home Series - 3D PLAN
AutoDesk Home Series - BATHROOM
AutoDesk Home Series – DECK
AutoDesk Home Series - HOME
AutoDesk Home Series - HOME & BATHROOM
AutoDesk Home Series - HOME & KITCHEN
AutoDesk Home Series - KITCHEN
Ex GST
TOTAL
129.73
129.73
129.73
129.73
141.28
141.28
129.73
145.95
145.95
145.95
145.95
158.95
158.95
145.95
90
Ex GST
Lotus Symphony 3.0 for DOS
Lotus Works 3.0 for DOS, Dual Media
Microsoft Chart V3.0 Dual Media
Microsoft MSDOS 6.0 Upgrade
Microsoft Flight Simulator 3½" or 5¼"
Microsoft Games Shop 3½" or 5¼"
Microsoft Golf 5¼ or 3½"
951.11
306.66
585.73
118.22
101.33
82.22
96.84
TOTAL
1070.00
345.00
658.95
133.00
114.00
92.50
108.95
AutoDesk Home Series - LANDSCAPE
AutoDesk Home Series - OFFICE
AutoSketch 3D Concepts
AutoSketch V3.0 for DOS
Borland Reflex V2.0 Database
Borland Sidekick V2.0
Brooklyn Bridge V3.5 Comms Link
Carbon Copy Plus V6.1
Central Point Anti-Virus V1.4
Central Point Backup 7.1 for DOS
Central Point Commute
Central Point PCTOOLS V8 & Stacker 3.0
Central Point PCTOOLS V8.0 for DOS
CHAOS (Fractals,Mandlebrots & Forgeries)
DataPerfect 2.3 for DOS
DesqView 2.42 3¼ or 5½" media
DesqView 386 3½ or 5¼" media
Direct Access Desktop V1.0
Direct Access for DOS V5.1
Fastback Express DOS V1.0
Fastback Plus for DOS V3.1
FoxPro V2.5 for DOS
Freelance Graphics 4.0 for DOS
Generic CADD 3D V2.0
Generic CADD V6.0
Grammatik 5.0 for DOS Dual Media
Instant Artist for DOS
Lotus 123 1.0 for Home
Lotus 123 2.4 for DOS
Lotus 123 3.4 for DOS
Lotus Agenda 2.0 for DOS
Lotus cc:Mail Platform 4.0 for DOS
Lotus Magellan 2.0 for DOS
129.73
238.17
399.06
240.66
402.00
158.17
240.00
399.06
210.00
210.00
210.00
354.66
294.00
137.77
755.55
240.00
400.84
204.00
159.60
159.60
257.77
800.00
746.66
617.77
897.77
195.55
176.88
240.00
728.88
844.44
684.44
573.33
248.88
145.95
267.95
448.95
270.75
452.25
177.95
270.00
448.95
236.25
236.25
236.25
399.00
330.75
155.00
850.00
270.00
450.95
229.50
179.55
179.55
290.00
900.00
840.00
695.00
1010.00
220.00
199.00
270.00
820.00
950.00
770.00
645.00
280.00
Microsoft Learning DOS CBT 3½" or 5¼"
Microsoft Macro Assembler V6.00 3½" or 5¼
Microsoft Multimedia Developers Kit
Microsoft Quick C/QuickASM V2.51 3½ or 5¼
Microsoft Quick Pascal Compiler V1.00
Microsoft Source Profiler 3½ or 5¼
Norton AntiVirus 2.1
Norton Backup 2.0
Norton Desktop for DOS
Norton PcANYWHERE 4.5
Norton Ulitities V7.0
Procomm Plus 2.01 for DOS
QEMM 386 V6.03 3½ or 5¼" media
Stacker 3.1 for Macintosh
Stacker 3.1 for Windows & DOS
Stacker 3.1 Rescue (Converts DoubleSpace)
Turbo C++ for DOS V3.0
Turbo Pascal V7.0 c/w TurboVision
Victor Charlie 5.0 Anti Virus
WordPerfect 5.1 for DOS
WordPerfect ConvertPerfect 1.0
WordPerfect LetterPerfect 1.0
WordPerfect Office - Easylink Gateway
WordPerfect Office - MCI Gateway
WordPerfect Office - MHS Gateway
WordPerfect Office - X.400 Gateway
WordPerfect Office 3.1 for DOS
WordPerfect Office Editor for DOS
WordPerfect Office PCLAN 3.1 5 User
WordPerfect PlanPerfect 5.1 for DOS
WordPerfect Rhymer
WordPerfect Works 1.0
85.77
101.33
822.22
363.51
215.06
175.77
229.44
229.33
318.00
318.00
318.00
240.00
176.31
253.33
253.33
124.40
156.40
237.28
122.66
755.55
66.66
168.88
755.55
755.55
755.55
1551.11
235.55
120.00
755.55
577.77
128.88
213.33
Add $6.00 incl GST per package for freight
PC APPLICATION SOFTWARE - MS WINDOWS /NT
Notes:
Demonstration packages may be available on request.
Please specify the media you desire with your order. Ask about our Education discounts.
If you find better pricing elsewhere let us know, we will better it!
AutoSketch for Windows
BITFAX for Windows Fax Software
Borland Office for Windows
Carbon Copy for Windows
Catchword Pro OCR for Windows
Central Point Backup 7.2 for Windows
Central Point PCTOOLS for Windows
Central Point Scrapbook for Windows
Colorado Tape Backup for Windows
Direct Access for Windows V1.0 Dual
FastBack Express for Windows V1.0
Fastback Plus for Windows V1.01
FoxPro V2.5 for Windows
Freelance Graphics 2.0 for Windows
Grammatik 5.0 for Windows 3½ or 5¼
Instant Artist for Windows
Lotus 123, AmiPro 3.0, Organizer Bundle
Lotus 123 4.0 for Windows
Lotus Ami Professional 3.0
Lotus cc:Mail Platform 2.0 for Windows
Lotus Improv 2.0 for Windows
Lotus Organizer for Windows 1.1
Lotus SmartPics for Windows
Lotus SmartSuite Bundle for Windows
Lotus Write for Windows
MicroGrafx ABC Flowcharter 2.0 for Win
MicroGrafx Anatomy Clipart
MicroGrafx Business Clipart
MicroGrafx Charisma 2.1 for Windows
MicroGrafx Designer 3.1 Windows
MicroGrafx Graphics Works for Win
MicroGrafx Personal Clipart
1
2
388.50
59.95
1025.00
361.95
495.00
236.25
330.75
236.25
110.00
179.95
179.95
290.00
895.00
840.00
220.00
299.00
1050.00
820.00
840.00
985.00
945.00
275.00
325.00
1275.00
275.00
880.00
115.00
115.00
885.00
1295.00
550.00
115.00
Microsoft Entertainment Pack #1 5¼ or 3½
Microsoft Entertainment Pack #2 5¼ or 3½
Microsoft Entertainment Pack #3 5¼ or 3½
Microsoft Entertainment Pack #4 5¼ or 3½
Microsoft Excel 4.0 for Windows 5¼ or 3½
Microsoft Money 2.0 for Windows DualMedia
Microsoft Access 1.0 for Windows 5¼ or 3½
3
Microsoft Office for Windows 5¼ or 3½
4
Microsoft Office Pro for Win 5¼ or 3½
Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows 5¼ or 3½
Microsoft Project for Windows Dual Media
Microsoft Publisher for Windows DualMedia
Microsoft Quick C for Windows V1.0
Microsoft Video 1.0 for Windows Dual+CD
Microsoft VisualBasic for Win V2.0
Microsoft VisualBasic for Win V2.0 Prof
Microsoft Windows 3.1 5¼ or 3½
Microsoft Windows 32 SDK (CD Only)
Microsoft Windows Device Devel Kit
Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 5¼ or 3½
Microsoft Windows NT on CDROM
Microsoft Windows NT Upgrade fm DOS/OS/2
Microsoft Word 2.0 for Windows 5¼ or 3½
Microsoft Works for Windows Dual Media
Norton Backup 2.0 for Windows
Norton Desktop for Windows 2.0
Object Vision 2.1 for Windows
On Target for Windows 3½" or 5¼" media
Procomm Plus for Windows
Stacker 3.1 for Windows & DOS
TimeLine for Windows 3½" or 5¼" media
Turbo C++ for Windows
91
75.00
75.00
75.00
75.00
895.00
129.95
895.00
1295.00
1525.00
895.00
1260.00
353.95
395.95
357.95
372.95
895.00
260.00
160.00
1020.00
416.00
999.00
645.00
895.00
353.95
258.00
357.75
271.95
782.95
348.95
138.00
1130.95
266.95
96.50
114.00
925.00
408.95
241.95
197.75
258.00
258.00
357.75
357.75
357.75
270.00
198.35
285.00
285.00
139.95
175.95
266.95
138.00
850.00
85.00
190.00
850.00
850.00
850.00
1745.00
265.00
135.00
850.00
650.00
145.00
240.00
MicroGrafx Photo Magic for Windows
MicroGrafx Picture Publisher 3.0 for Win
MicroGrafx Technical Clipart
MicroGrafx Windows Draw
MicroGrafx Windows Orgchart
MicroGrafx World Geography Clipart
330.00
880.00
115.00
320.00
320.00
115.00
Turbo C++ for Windows Visual Edition 3.1
Turbo Pascal for Windows 3.1
Ventura AddPro V1.1 for Windows
Ventura ColorPro V1.1 for Windows
Ventura PicturePro V1.1 for Windows
WordPerfect for Windows 5.2
210.00
266.95
1450.00
1795.00
1585.00
850.00
Prices Include GST, Add $6.00 for freight
Key:
- Contains Paradox for Win, Quattro Pro for Win and Wordperfect for Windows.
- Contains Lotus 123 1.1, Ami Pro 3.0, Freelance 2.0 and cc:Mail for Windows.
3 - Contains Excel 4.0, Word for Windows 2.0, Microsoft Access 1.1, Presentation Manager.
4 - Contains Excel 4.0, Word for Windows 2.0, Presentation Manager
1
2
PC APPLICATION SOFTWARE - OS/2
Notes:
Demonstration packages may be available on request.
Please specify the media you desire with your order. Ask about our Education discounts.
Borland C++ for OS/2
Brief 3.1 for OS/2 (& DOS)
Catchword OCR Software for DOS
Colorado Jumbo OS/2 Tape Backup S/ware
dBrief 3.1 for OS/2 (& DOS)
Freelance Graphics 2.0 for OS/2
Lotus 123 2.0 for OS/2
Lotus cc:Mail Platform for OS/2
MicroGrafx Designer 3.1 OS/2
MicroGrafx Windows Draw for OS/2
Microsoft Excel for OS/2 2.0
Microsoft Word for OS/2 2.0
Norton Commander OS/2
335.00
495.00
495.00
236.25
195.00
840.00
850.00
985.00
1295.00
320.00
895.00
895.00
330.00
Object Vision for OS/2
OS/2 2.1 upgrade from OS/2 or DOS (CDROM)
OS/2 2.1 upgrade from OS/2 2.0 or DOS (disk)
OS/2 Developers Toolkit
OS/2 Developers WkBench (Toolkit + Wkframe 2)
OS/2 Technical Library
OS/2 Version 2.1 3½" or 5¼"
OS/2 Version 2.1 on CDROM
OS/2 Workframe/2 V1.0
Stacker 3.1 for OS/2 and DOS
WordPerfect 5.2 for OS/2
WordPerfect for OS/2
452.25
196.50
240.50
212.00
360.00
505.00
335.00
310.00
170.00
399.00
820.00
850.00
Prices Include GST, Add $6.00 for freight
VIDEO BASED TRAINING FILMS
Training Video-Learn ObjectPAL Today
Training Video-Learn Paradox 4.0 Today
Training Video-Learn Paradox for Windows
Training Video-Learn Quattro Pro for Windows
Training Video-Programming with Turbo Pascal 1
99.00
99.00
99.00
99.00
135.00
Training Video-The World of C++
Training Video-The World of Object Vision
Training Video-World of ObjectWindows C++
Training Video-World of ObjectWindows for PAS
2
199.00
79.95
199.00
199.00
Prices Include GST, Add $6.00 for freight
Key:
1
2
- Includes Video, Workbook and limited disk set.
- Includes Video, Workbook and Source Code.
pc GAMES AND LEISURE SOFTWARE
Notes:
We can supply the latest titles even though they have not made the catalogue yet. Please enquire.
Ask about old titles not shown at heavily discounted prices if avail.
Aces Mission Disk 1 3½
Aces of the Pacific 3½
Aces of the Pacific 5¼
Alone in the Dark 3½
Alphabet Blocks 3½
Animation Classics 3½
Armageddon 3½
ATAC F2 3½
ATAC F23 5¼
Atomino Dual Media
AV8B VGA 3½
AV8B VGA 5¼
B17 3½
B17 5¼
Battle Chess 4000 3½
Civilization Masters 3½
93.95
143.95
143.95
143.95
95.95
113.95
136.95
163.95
163.95
93.95
143.95
143.95
143.95
143.95
143.95
143.95
Leisure Suit Larry II Sierra Dual Media
Leisure Suit Larry III Sierra Dual Media
Leisure Suit Larry Triple Pack 5¼
Leisure Suit Larry V VGA 3½
Leisure Suit Larry V VGA 5¼
Lemmings 2 VGA 3½
Lemmings 2 VGA 5¼
Lemmings VGA Dual Media
Links 2 SVGA 5¼
Links Challenge Golf 3½
Links Golf 2 SVGA 3½
Links Ultimate Golf Compilation 3½
Links Ultimate Golf Compilation 5¼
Mathblaster Mystery 3½
Mathblaster Plus 3½
Mauna Kea Course 3½
92
93.95
93.95
143.95
113.95
113.95
113.95
113.95
103.95
123.95
93.95
123.95
93.95
93.95
93.95
93.95
93.95
Civilization Masters 5¼
Civilization VGA 3½
Civilization VGA 5¼
Classic Tales 3½
Codename Combat 3½
Codename Combat 5¼
Comanche Maximum Overkill 3½
Comic Book Creator Dual Media
Cool World 3½
Creepers 3½
Creepers 5¼
Crisis in the Kremlin 3½
Crisis in the Kremlin 5¼
Crosswords 3½
Curse of Enchantia 3½
Dagger of Amonra 3½
Dagger of Amonra 5¼
Darklands VGA 3½
Darklands VGA 5¼
Dinosoft Multi/Division Dual Media
Dogfight 3½
DR Brain VGA 3½
DR Brain VGA 5¼
Dream Team 3½
Dune II 3½
Dune II 5¼
ECO Quest 2 3½
ECO Quest I VGA 3½
ECO Quest I VGA 5¼
Eric the Unready 3½
ET's Rugby League 3½
ET's Rugby League 5¼
F15 III 3½
Falcon 3.0 Campaign 3½
Falcon 3.0 Campaign 5¼
Falcon 3.0 Multiplanes 3½
Grand Prix (MicroProse) 5¼
Gunship 2000
Harrier Jump Jet 3½
Harrier JumpJet 5¼
Humans 3½
Jet Fighter 2 Mission 5¼
Jet Fighter 2 Mission Disk 3½
Kings Quest 6 5¼
Kings Quest I Sierra Dual Media
Kings Quest II Sierra Dual Media
Kings Quest III Sierra Dual Media
Kings Quest IV EGA Edition Dual Media
Kings Quest IV Sierra Dual Media
Kings Quest V 3½
Kings Quest V VGA 5¼
Kings Quest VI VGA 3½
Kyrandia 3½
Kyrandia 5¼
Larry Triple Pack 3½
Leisure Suit Larry I VGA 3½
Leisure Suit Larry I VGA 5¼
143.95
143.95
123.95
93.95
93.95
93.95
149.95
73.95
93.95
103.95
103.95
143.95
143.95
113.95
95.95
133.95
123.95
143.95
123.95
63.95
153.95
113.95
113.95
93.95
93.95
93.95
113.95
133.95
133.95
143.95
33.95
63.95
159.95
93.95
93.95
123.95
63.95
123.95
136.95
143.95
103.95
83.95
83.95
143.95
93.95
93.95
93.95
103.95
93.95
113.95
113.95
143.95
93.95
73.95
143.95
93.95
83.95
Mickeys 123 Dual Media
Mickeys ABC Fair Dual Media
Mickeys Memory Challenge Dual Media
Micro Maths 5¼
Mickeys Jigsaw Puzzle 5¼
Microprose Grand Prix 3½
Millenium 5¼
Mixed Up Fairy Tales VGA 3½
Mixed Up Fairy Tales VGA 5¼
Mixed Up Mother Goose Sierra Dual Media
Multiplication Tables 3½
My Grand Piano Dual Media
Oh No More Adventure 3½
Oh No More Adventure 5¼
Oh No More Lemmings Dual Media
P.A.L. 5¼
PC Globe 5.0 5¼
Peppers Adventures in Time 3½
Peppers Adventures in Time 5¼
Pinehurst Course Links 3½
Pinehurst Course Links 5¼
Playroom Dual Media
Police Quest II EGA Edition Dual Media
Police Quest III VGA 3½
Police Quest III VGA 5¼
Quest For Glory 5¼
Quest For Glory III 3½
Reader Rabbit 3½
Red Baron Mission 5¼
Red Baron Mission Disk 3½
Red Baron VGA 3½
Red Baron VGA 5¼
Rex Nebular 3½
Rex Nebular 5¼
Ringworld 3½
Robocop 3½
Robocop 5¼
Sierra Quest For Adventure 5¼
Sim Ant Dual Media
Sim Ant 3½
Sim City 3½
Space Quest 5 5¼
Space Quest IV VGA 3½
Space Quest IV VGA 5¼
Space Quest V 3½
Task Force 1942 3½
Turbo Science 3½
Ultima Underworld 2 3½
Whacky Funsters 3½
Where in the World is Carmen? 3½
Willy Beamish VGA 3½
Willy Beamish VGA 5¼
Wing Commander 3½
WWF 2 3½
X Wing 3½
X Wing 5¼
63.95
63.95
33.95
73.95
73.95
136.95
153.95
113.95
113.95
103.95
73.95
32.95
93.95
93.95
93.95
143.95
136.95
113.95
113.95
63.95
63.95
123.95
93.95
113.95
113.95
143.95
143.95
113.95
63.95
83.95
123.95
123.95
159.95
159.95
143.95
113.95
93.95
93.95
133.95
133.95
93.95
143.95
93.95
93.95
143.95
159.95
113.95
143.95
93.95
113.95
113.95
103.95
93.95
93.95
113.95
113.95
Prices Include GST, Add $4.00 for freight
GAME HINT BOOKS
Notes:
Some older Hint Books may take 7-10 days for delivery if not in stock
Black Cauldron Hint Book
Civilization Hint Book
Codename Iceman Hint Book
Colonels Bequest Hint Book
Conquest of Camelot Hint Book
Dagger of Amonra Hint Book
Dr Brain Hint Book
Gold Rush Hint Book
Heart of China Hint Book
Heros Quest Hint Book
Kings Quest I Hint Book
Kings Quest II Hint Book
Kings Quest III Hint Book
23.95
33.95
13.45
23.95
23.95
23.95
33.95
23.95
23.95
23.95
23.95
23.95
23.95
Leisure Suit Larry III Hint Book
Leisure Suit Larry V Hint Book
Official Book of Kings Quest
Police Quest I Hint Book
Police Quest II Hint Book
Police Quest III Hint Book
Quest for Glory II Hint Book
Railroad Tycoon Hint Book
Railroad Tycoon Official Guide
Rex Nebular Hint Book
Rise of the Dragon Hint Book
Secret of Monkey Island Hint Book
Secret of Monkey Is II Hint Book
93
23.95
33.95
33.95
23.95
13.95
23.95
23.95
33.45
33.45
53.95
23.95
23.95
23.95
Kings Quest IV Hint Book
Kings Quest V Hint Book
Leisure Suit Larry I Hint Book
Leisure Suit Larry II Hint Book
23.95
33.95
23.95
23.95
Space Quest I Hint Book
Space Quest II Hint Book
Space Quest III Hint Book
Space Quest IV Hint Book
23.95
23.95
23.95
23.95
Prices Include GST, Add $6.00 for freight
AMIGA & MACINTOSH GAMES SOFTWARE
Notes:
We can supply the latest titles even though they have not made the catalogue yet. Please enquire.
Ask about old titles not shown at heavily discounted prices if avail.
[Amiga] Super Way Joystick
[Amiga] TAC 2 Black Joystick
[Amiga] TAC 30 Joystick
Aclatraz [Amiga]
Alpha Blocks [Macintosh]
AV8B Harrier [Amiga]
Better Maths (Educ) [Amiga]
Better Spelling (Educ) [Amiga]
Bill's Tomato Game [Amiga]
Castle of Dr Brain (Educ) [Amiga]
Castle of Dr Brain (Educ) [Macintosh]
Celtic Legends [Amiga]
Civilization [Amiga]
Civilization [Macintosh]
Cool World [Amiga]
Dragons Lair Singes [Macintosh]
Dream Team [Amiga]
Epic [Amiga]
Floor 13 [Amiga]
Heart of China [Macintosh]
Hoyles Games [Macintosh]
Hoyles Games II [Macintosh]
International Rugby [Amiga]
KGB [Amiga]
Kings Quest I [Macintosh]
Kings Quest II [Macintosh]
Kings Quest III [Macintosh]
Kings Quest IV [Amiga]
Kings Quest V [Macintosh]
Kyrandia [Amiga]
Leisure Suit Larry I [Macintosh]
Total Recall [Amiga]
53.95
23.95
33.95
103.95
113.95
123.95
93.95
93.95
113.95
113.95
103.95
133.95
113.95
136.95
73.95
143.95
93.95
63.95
63.95
133.95
75.00
75.00
93.95
23.95
103.95
113.95
113.95
83.95
143.95
93.95
133.95
63.95
Leisure Suit Larry III [Amiga]
Leisure Suit Larry V [Amiga]
Leisure Suit Larry V [Macintosh]
Lemmings [Macintosh]
Lemmings 2 [Amiga]
Lethal Weapon [Amiga]
Links Challenge Golf [Amiga]
Maths Mania (Educ) [Amiga]
Manhunter I [Amiga]
McDonalds Land [Amiga]
MegaTraveller 2 [Amiga]
Microprose Grand Prix [Amiga]
Mixed Up Mother Goose (Educ) [Amiga]
Police Quest III [Amiga]
Premier [Amiga]
Pushover [Amiga]
Railroad Tycoon [Amiga]
Red Baron [Macintosh]
Rise of the Dragon [Macintosh]
Secret of Monkey Island [Macintosh]
Shuttle [Amiga]
Silent Service II [Amiga]
Space Quest I [Macintosh]
Space Quest II [Macintosh]
Space Quest III [Macintosh]
Space Quest IV [Macintosh]
Space Quest IV [Amiga]
Streetfighter II [Amiga]
Team Suziki [Amiga]
Thexder [Macintosh]
Willy Beamish [Macintosh]
93.95
113.95
123.95
143.95
93.95
73.95
93.95
93.95
59.95
93.95
133.95
143.95
103.95
123.95
103.95
63.95
113.95
143.95
143.95
143.95
103.95
103.95
113.95
113.95
133.95
123.95
93.95
113.95
63.95
83.95
133.95
Prices Include GST, Add $4.00 for freight
CDROM DISC BASED SOFTWARE
Notes:
Most CD's not available ex stock, (ones that are, marked with * ), please allow 14 days or more for delivery depending
on order quantities. Dealers Welcome and Qty Discounts Available. Adult CD's on proof of age only - no exceptions.
300 Windows WAV Sound Effects
About Cows
Adults Only - Busty Babes
Adults Only - Ecstasy
Adults Only - PC-Pix Vol I
Adults Only - PC-Pix Vol II
Adults Only - PC-Pix Vol III
Adults Only - Seventh Heaven
Adults Only - Stareware
Adults Only - Storm I
Adults Only Animation Fantasies Vol I
Adults Only Animation Fantasties Vol II
Adventures of Willy Beamish (Sierra)
Aircraft Encyclopedia, The
Amiga AB20 Amiga files/source *
Anecdotes
Animals of San Diego Zoo (DOS)
Animals of San Diego Zoo (WIN)
Audubon's Birds
Audubon's Mammal's
Barney Bear goes to School
Barney Bear goes to Space
Battle Chess
Sound
Ref
Grafx
Grafx
Grafx
Grafx
Grafx
Grafx
Grafx
Grafx
Grafx
Grafx
Game
Ref
Sware
Ref
Educ
Educ
Educ
Educ
Educ
Educ
Game
75.50
82.95
129.00
129.00
129.00
129.00
129.00
129.00
129.00
129.00
129.00
129.00
89.50
105.59
58.95
46.95
73.95
73.95
63.95
63.95
79.50
79.50
83.95
Microsoft Windows 32 SDK *
Mixed up Mother Goose (Sierra)
Mother of All Clipart
Multimedia Audobons Mammals
Multimedia Encyclopedia (DOS)
Multimedia Encyclopedia (WIN)
Multimedia Mixed up Mother Goose
Multimedia World Atlas
Murder Makes Strange Deadfellows
National Parks (WIN 3.1)
Night Owl 7.0 Shareware
Night Owl 8.0 Shareware
Our Solar System
Oxford English Reference Library
Pacific Islands
Peter and the Wolf (Compton's)
Pharmacist Guide to Drugs
Pixel Garden
Plant Doctor
Power Tools (DOS)
Power Tools (Windows)
Programmers ROM
Rotor,Time Bandit and Airball
94
Prog
Educ
Publ
Educ
Educ
Educ
Educ
Educ
Game
Educ
Sware
Sware
Educ
Educ
Educ
Educ
Ref
Grafx
Ref
Sware
Sware
Ref
Game
160.00
79.50
45.00
97.00
132.95
132.95
89.50
79.50
119.95
106.95
105.95
120.00
59.95
254.25
105.00
79.50
101.95
101.95
101.95
60.00
60.00
112.95
55.50
Beauty and the Beast (Compton's)
Bible History
Bibles and Religion
Britannica Family Choice
Carmen in San Diego (Deluxe)
Case of the Cautious Condor
CD Storytime Vol.1
Chess Master 2000 Multimedia
Chess Master 3000 Multimedia
CIA Multimedia World Fact Book
CICA 140MB Microsoft Windows *
Clip Art Galore Vol II
Clipart Goliath (10,000+ clips!)
Clipart Heaven
Coates Art Review – Impressionism
Colossal Cookbook (4000+ recipes!)
Compton's Family Encyclopedia
Consumer Information Disc
Crossword Cracker
DeathStar Arcade Battles
Dictionaries and Languages
Family Education Series
Font Master
Font Master Two
Fonts for the Professional
Game Pack II
GIFS Galore GIF Library *
GIGABYTE GOLD 700MB Shareware *
Grammy Awards
Great Cities of the World I
Great Cities of the World II
Guiness Disc of Records (DOS)
Guiness Disc of Records (WIN)
Guy Spy
Ham Radio V3.0
Hollywood-The Bizzare
Interactive Story Time I
Interactive Story Time II
Jazz-A Multimedia History
Jets & Props (2 disk set)
Jones in the fast Lane (Sierra)
Just Fonts (Truetype & Adobe)
Kings Quest V (Sierra)
Kodak Photo CD Access
Konan
Languages of the World
LOOM
MacMillan Dictionary for Children
Magazine Rack
Mavis Beacon teaches Typing
Mayo Clinic (Home self health)
Media Clips World View
Mega Movie (50,000 movie reviews)
Microsoft Bookshelf for Windows *
Microsoft Cinemania *
Microsoft Publisher for Windows *
Microsoft Video 1.0 for Windows *
Educ
Ref
Ref
Educ
Game
Game
Educ
Game
Game
Ref
Sware
Publ
Publ
Publ
Educ
Ref
Educ
Ref
Ref
Game
Educ
Educ
Publ
Publ
Publ
Game
Grapx
Sware
Ref
Educ
Educ
Ref
Ref
Game
Ref
Educ
Educ
Educ
Educ
Educ
Game
Publ
Game
Publ
Game
Educ
Game
Educ
Ref
Educ
Educ
Educ
Ref
Educ
Ref
Appln
Appln
79.50
79.50
59.95
106.95
119.95
76.95
89.25
89.50
89.50
90.95
58.95
75.50
59.95
80.50
101.95
59.95
283.50
63.95
89.95
59.95
59.95
105.00
45.00
45.00
94.95
109.95
58.95
120.00
106.95
79.50
79.50
90.95
102.95
105.00
59.95
113.95
94.95
94.95
167.50
102.95
75.50
69.50
75.50
60.00
105.00
113.95
89.50
106.95
73.95
56.95
113.95
101.25
106.95
355.95
134.55
353.20
357.95
Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe
Secrets of Monkey Island
Shareware Extravaganza (4 disk set)
SHAREWARE Online Volume One
Shareware Overload (6100+ progs!)
SIMTEL 20 Dec 92 MSDOS Shareware *
Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective
Sleeping Beauty (Compton's)
So Much Screenware (Huge GIF Lib.)
So Much Shareware Vol I
So Much Shareware Vol II
Software Jukebox
Sound Sensations
Sound Works
SOUNDBITS - Classic Movies *
SOUNDBITS - Hanna Barbera *
SOUNDBITS - Musical Sounds *
Source Code (ex UseNet) 490MB *
Space Adventure
Space Quest IV (Sierra)
Space Series - Apollo
Spirit of Excalibur
Sports Best (3 games + audio)
Stellar 7
Super Games for Windows *
TechnoTools
Tempra Access (Photo CD System)
The Complete Bookshop
The Encyclopedia of Sound Vol 1
The Family Doctor
The Food Analyst
Time Table of Arts & Entertainment
Time Table of Business, Politics & Media
Time Table of Science & Innovations
Too Many Typefonts!
ToolWorks Multimedia Encyclopedia
U.S Wars:Korea
U.S Wars:Vietnam
U.S Wars:World War II
U.S Wars:Civil Wars
U.S Wars:Desert Storm
Ultimate Shareware Collection
US Atlas and US Automap
VGA Spectrum
VGA Spectrum II
Visions of Saturn
Websters Reference Librarys
Windoware- MS Windows Shareware
Windows Master
Windows Shareware GOLD
Wing Commander/Ultima VI
World of Flight
World of Trains
World Traveller - Volume 1
World Vision (3 disk set)
Wrath of the Demons
Game
Game
Sware
Sware
Sware
Sware
Game
Educ
Grafx
Sware
Sware
Sware
Sound
Sound
Sound
Sound
Sound
Prog
Educ
Game
Educ
Game
Game
Game
Game
Prog
Publ
Ref
Sound
Ref
Ref
Ref
Ref
Ref
Publ
Educ
Ref
Ref
Ref
Ref
Ref
Sware
Ref
Grafx
Grafx
Educ
Ref
Sware
Sware
Sware
Game
Educ
Educ
Educ
Educ
Game
89.50
89.50
159.95
95.00
69.95
89.50
58.95
79.50
83.95
75.50
83.95
119.95
59.95
62.50
75.00
75.00
75.00
77.95
93.95
89.50
117.95
83.95
79.50
75.50
55.00
59.95
79.50
59.95
59.95
79.50
79.50
73.95
69.95
73.95
73.95
59.95
122.90
112.50
112.50
112.50
112.50
112.50
82.95
45.00
79.95
63.95
79.50
59.95
70.00
105.00
70.00
102.95
102.95
58.95
159.95
79.50
Prices Include GST, Add $10.00 per
disc for freight and handling.
SEGA players, HARDWARE & spares
Notes:
Covers Games Gear, Master System, Mega Drive and Mega-CD Hardware.
[Game Gear] Audio/Video Cable
[Game Gear] MagniGear
SEGA MASTER SYSTEM II (Player)
SEGA T-Shirt
SEGA MEGA-CD (Player)
SEGA MEGA-CD (Player + 7 CD Games)
SEGA MEGA DRIVE (Player)
SEGA GAME GEAR (Player)
SEGA Baseball Cap
[Master System] Power Supply
[Master System] Light Phaser Gun
29.95
39.95
149.95
29.95
549.95
839.95
329.95
239.95
14.95
29.95
64.50
[Master System] Control Stick
[Master System] Control Pad
[Master System] Rapid Fire Unit
[Master System] TV Connection Cable
[Master System] TV Switch Box
[Mega Drive] Arcade Power Stick
[Mega Drive] Audio/Video Cable
[Mega Drive] Control Pad
[Mega Drive] Power Base Converter
[Mega Drive] Power Supply
[Mega Drive] TV connection cable
95
32.50
24.50
24.95
6.95
6.95
139.95
24.95
49.95
134.95
39.95
19.95
[Master System] Instruction Book
[Master System] Handle Control Joystick
5.00
130.50
[Mega Drive] Menacer Rifle
199.95
Prices Include GST, Add $6.50 for freight
SEGA GAME CARTRIDGES - GAME GEAR
Notes:
High Demand cartridges like Dolphin may extend Delivery times. Ask about NEW Titles not shown, we CAN Supply!
AX-BATTLER
BATMAN RETURNS
CHESSMASTER
COLUMNS
DONALD DUCK
DRAGON CRYSTAL
FACTORY PANIC
G-LOC
GALAGA 2
HALLEY WARS
HOLYFIELD BOXING
JOE MONTANA FOOTBALL
93.95
113.95
113.95
53.95
93.95
83.95
73.95
83.95
93.95
93.95
113.95
93.95
LEMMINGS
MICKEY MOUSE
MICKEY MOUSE II
NINJA GAIDEN
OUTRUN
PENGO
PSYCHIC WORLD
PUTTER GOLF
SHINOBI
SHINOBI II
SLIDER
SOLITAIRE POKER
113.95
103.95
93.95
93.95
93.95
73.95
83.95
73.95
93.95
83.95
103.95
93.95
SONIC II
SONIC THE HEGDEHOG
SPACE HARRIER
STREETS OF RAGE
SUPER MONACO GP
TAZMANIA
W/BOY DRAGONS TRAP
WIMBLETON
WONDERBOY
WORLD CLASS L/BOARD
WOODY POP
93.95
103.95
83.95
103.95
73.95
83.95
113.95
93.95
73.95
93.95
73.95
Prices Include GST, Add
$4.00 for freight
SEGA GAME CARTRIDGES - MASTER SYSTEM ][
ACES OF ACES
93.95
AERIAL ASSAULT
83.95
AFTERBURNER
93.95
AIR RESCUE
103.95
ALEX KID HIGH TECH WORLD73.95
ALEX KID LOST STARS
73.95
ALEX KID SHINOBI WORLD 83.95
ALIEN STORM
93.95
ALIEN SYNDROME
83.95
ALIENS III
123.95
ALTERED BEAST
83.95
ASSAULT CITY
83.95
ASTERIX
93.95
ASTRO WARRIOR PIT POT 73.95
BACK TO THE FUTURE II
123.95
BACK TO THE FUTURE III
123.95
BANK PANIC
29.95
BARCELONA 92
93.95
BASKETBALL NIGHTMARE 83.95
BATMAN RETURNS
103.95
BLACK BELT
43.95
BLADE EAGLE
93.95
BOMBER RAID
83.95
BONANZA BROTHERS
103.95
BUBBLE BOBBLE
83.95
CALIFORNIA GAMES
83.95
CASINO GAMES
39.50
CHASE HQ
93.95
CHESS
123.95
CHOPLIFTER
53.95
CHUCK ROCK
123.95
CLOUD MASTER
83.95
COLUMNS
29.95
CYBER SHINOBI
93.95
DEAD ANGLE
93.95
DONALD DUCK
93.95
DOUBLE DRAGON
73.95
DOUBLE HAWK
39.95
DYNAMITE DUKE
93.95
DYNAMITE DUX
73.95
E-SWAT
73.95
ENDURO RACER
53.95
F-16 FIGHTER
29.95
FANTASY ZONE
43.95
FANTASY ZONE II
73.95
FANTASY ZONE MAZE
73.95
FORGOTTEN WORLDS
93.95
G-LOC
93.95
GAIN GROUND
GALAXY FORCE
GAUNTLET
GHOSTBUSTERS
GHOULS N GHOSTS
GOLDEN AXE
GOLDEN AXE WARRIOR
GOLVELLIUS
GREAT GOLF
HANG ON
HEAVY WEIGHT CHAMP
HEROES OF THE LANCE
IMPOSSIBLE MISSION
INDIANA JONES
JOE MONTANA FOOTBALL
JUNGLE FIGHTER
KENSEIDON
KLAX
KUNG FU KID
LASER GHOST
LEMMINGS
LINE OF FIRE
MARBLE MADNESS
MASTER OF DARKNESS
MERCS
MICKEY MOUSE
MICKEY MOUSE II
MOONWALKER
MS PACMAN
NINJA GAIDEN
OPERATION WOLF
OUTRUN
OUTRUN EUROPA
PACMANIA
PAPERBOY
PARLOUR GAMES
PENGUIN LAND
POPULOUS
POWER STRIKE
PREDATOR II
PRINCE OF PERSIA
PSYCHIC WORLD
PUTT & PUTTER
QUARTET
R TYPE
RAINBOW ISLAND
RAMBO III
RAMPAGE
96
73.95
73.95
93.95
53.95
73.95
39.95
113.95
73.95
29.95
29.95
73.95
113.95
93.95
103.95
73.95
83.95
83.95
93.95
29.95
83.95
103.95
83.95
113.95
93.95
93.95
93.95
113.95
93.95
93.95
93.95
113.95
73.95
113.95
113.95
93.95
29.95
113.95
113.95
53.95
123.95
123.95
73.95
83.95
53.95
93.95
133.95
93.95
73.95
RAMPART
RC GRAND PRIX
RENEGADE
RUNNING BATTLE
SAGAIA
SCRAMBLE SPIRITS
SHADOW DANCER
SHADOW OF THE BEAST
SHANGAI
SHINOBI
SHOOTING GALLERY
SIMPSONS
SLAP SHOT
SMASH TV
SONIC II
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG
SPACE HARRIER
SPACEGUN
SPEEDBALL
SPEEDBALL II
SPIDERMAN
STRIDER
SUBMARINE ATTACK
SUMMER GAMES
SUPER MONACO GP
SUPER SPACE INVADERS
TAZMANIA
TEDDY BOY
TENNIS ACE
TERMINATOR
THE NINJA
THUNDERBLADE
TIME SOLDIERS
TOM & JERRY
ULTIMA IV
VIGILANTE
WANTED
WIMBLETON
WIMBLETON II
WONDERBOY
WONDERBOY III
WONDERBOY IN M/LAND
WORLD CLASS L/BOARD
WORLD GAMES
XENON II
Y's VANISHED OMENS
ZILLION II
123.95
93.95
133.95
83.95
103.95
73.95
93.95
113.95
53.95
83.95
29.95
123.95
73.95
123.95
113.95
93.95
73.95
103.95
83.95
113.95
93.95
103.95
83.95
73.95
93.95
133.95
113.95
43.95
73.95
123.95
43.95
73.95
73.95
103.95
143.95
39.95
29.95
103.95
113.95
23.95
73.95
73.95
113.95
73.95
113.95
103.95
73.95
Prices Include GST, Add
$4.00 for freight
SEGA GAME CARTRIDGES - MEGA DRIVE
688 ATTACK SUB
ABRAMS TANK
AFTERBURNER II
AIR BUSTER
ALEX KID ENCHTED CASTLE
ALIEN STORM
ALIENS III
ALISIA DRAGON
ALTERED BEAST
ARCH RIVALS
ARNOLD PALMER GOLF
ARROW FLASH
ART ALIVE
BARCELONA 92
BATMAN
BATMAN RETURNS
BIO-HAZARD BATTLE
BLOCKOUT
BONANZA BROTHERS
BUCK ROGERS
BUDOKHAN
CALIFORNIA GAMES
CAPTAIN PLANET
CARMEN IN SAN DIEGO
CENTURIAN
CHAKAN
CHIKI CHIKI BOYS
CHUCK ROCK
CORPORATION
CRACKDOWN
CYBERBALL
DECAP ATTACK
DESERT STRIKE
DJ BOY
DOLPHIN ECHO THE
DONALD DUCK
DRAGONS FURY
DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS
DYNAMITE DUKE
E-SWAT
EX MUTANTS
F-22 INTERCEPTOR
FAERY TALE ADVENTURE
FANTASTIA
FATAL LABYRINTH
FATAL REWIND
133.95
139.95
113.95
139.95
103.95
123.95
153.95
139.95
73.95
139.95
113.95
123.95
53.95
139.95
139.95
139.95
139.95
139.95
103.95
139.95
113.95
139.95
103.95
139.95
139.95
133.95
113.95
139.95
139.95
113.95
123.95
123.95
139.95
133.95
139.95
139.95
133.95
123.95
53.95
113.95
139.95
139.95
123.95
123.95
113.95
123.95
FIRE SHARK
FLICKY
FORGOTTEN WORLDS
G-LOC
GAIN GROUND
GALAXY FORCE II
GHOSTBUSTERS
GHOULS N GHOSTS
GOLDEN AXE
GOLDEN AXE II
GREEN DOG
GYNOUG
HELLFIRE
HERZOG ZWEI
HOLYFIELD BOXING
HOME ALONE
INDIANA JONES
J BUSTER DOUGLAS
JEWEL MASTER
JOHN MADDEN FOOTBALL
JOHN MADDEN FOOTBALL II
JORDAN V BIRD
KID CHAMELEON
KINGS BOUNTY
KLAX
KRUSTYS FUNHOUSE
LAST BATTLE
LEMMINGS
LHX CHOPPER
LITTLE MERMAID
MEGA-LO-MANIA
MERCS
MICKEY AND DONALD
MIGHT AND MAGIC
ML HOCKEY
MOONWALKER
MYSTIC DEFENDER
NHL HOCKEY
OUTRUN 2019
PACMANIA
PGA GOLF
PHANTASY STAR II
PHANTASY STAR III
PITFIGHTER
POPULOUS
123.95
113.95
63.95
133.95
113.95
139.95
123.95
133.95
123.95
113.95
133.95
123.95
133.95
63.95
139.95
139.95
153.95
133.95
53.95
123.95
123.95
139.95
139.95
139.95
139.95
133.95
113.95
139.95
139.95
133.95
139.95
139.95
139.95
139.95
133.95
113.95
53.95
113.95
113.95
133.95
139.95
139.95
153.95
153.95
139.95
PREDATOR II
RAMBO III
REVENGE OF SHINOBI
RINGS OF POWER
ROAD RASH
SHADOW DANCER
SHADOW OF THE BEAST
SHINING IN THE DARKNESS
SIDE POCKET
SIMPSONS
SONIC II
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG
SPIDERMAN
SPLATTER HOUSE 2
STAR FLIGHT
STREETS OF RAGE
STREETS OF RAGE II
STRIDER
SUPER HANG ON
SUPER HYDLIDE
SUPER LEAGUE
SUPER MONACO GP
SUPER REAL BASKETBALL
SUPER THUNDERBLADE
SWORD OF SODAN
TALE SPIN
TALMITS ADVENTURE
TAZMANIA
TERMINATOR
TERMINATOR II
THE IMMORTAL
THUNDERFORCE II
THUNDERFORCE IV
TOEJAM & EARL
TRUCTON
TURBO OUTRUN
TWO CRUDE DUDES
WONDERBOY III
WORLD CLASS L/BOARD
WORLD CUP ITALIA
WRESTLE WAR
WWF
XENON II
ZANY GOLF
ZERO WING
139.95
93.95
113.95
139.95
163.95
113.95
139.95
163.95
123.95
139.95
139.95
139.95
123.95
136.50
113.95
139.95
153.95
139.95
113.95
163.95
73.95
123.95
73.95
113.95
139.95
139.95
139.95
139.95
139.95
153.95
133.95
113.95
139.95
139.95
139.95
123.95
139.95
113.95
113.95
103.95
103.95
153.95
139.95
139.95
163.95
Prices Include GST, Add
$4.00 for freight
SEGA GAME CARTRIDGES - MEGA-CD
BLACK HOLE ASSAULT CD 143.95
COBRA COMMAND CD
123.95
FIVE GAME COLLECTION CD 123.95
JAGUAR CD
PRINCE OF PERSIA CD
SHERLOCK HOLMES CD
123.95
123.95
143.95
SOL FEACE CD
WOLF CHILD CD
Prices Include GST, Add
$4.00 for freight
97
123.95
123.95
TOTAl PERIPHERALS DESKTOP PC'S
NOTES: Prices INCLUDE GST. All Systems have a 3yr Return to Depot Warranty, except for Notebooks which have a 12 month.
Designed, Engineered and Manufactured for those who appreciate Quality, Reliabilty and Performance.
ASK ABOUT OEM SOFTWARE BUNDLES AVAIL WITH MACHINE PURCHASE! Configurations are flexible.
Systems can be built to your requirements. These are quality machines hence the warranty, beware of cheap imports.
Specifications
Microprocessor
Cache
Memory
Floppy Disk(s)
Video
Monitor
Case
Keyboard
Std Interfaces
Specifications
Microprocessor
Cache
Memory
Benchmarks
Bus
BIOS
Floppy Disk(s)
Video
Monitor
Case
Keyboard
Std Interfaces
Options
TP 386-33SX
80386SX-33
16k
2Mb (2x1Mb SIMMS) exp to 32Mb
Choice of 3½" 1.44Mb OR 5¼" 1.2Mb
Cirrus Logic 1MB Windows Accelerator Card
TP250LR 14" Low Radiation SVGA Colour.(1024x768
Int)
Desktop, 200W power Supply
[Add $45.00 for Mini Tower]
[Add $195.00 for Full Tower]
101 Enhanced
COM1, COM2, LPT1, Joystick.
Hard Disk
Incl GST
Shipping
Total
None
1745.00
35.00
1780.00
40MB
1970.00
35.00
2005.00
130MB
2195.00
35.00
2230.00
245MB
2365.00
35.00
2400.00
TP 386-40DX
AMD 80386DX-40
128k
4Mb exp to 64MB
3½" 1.44Mb and 5¼" 1.2Mb
Cirrus Logic 1MB Windows Accelerator Card
TP250LR 14" Low Radiation SVGA Colour.(1024x768 Int)
T P 4 8 6 - 2 5 S X Local Bus
INTEL 486SX-25
128K (exp 256K)
4Mb (exp to 128MB)
Nortons SI=54.0
Landmark=83.5Mhz
2xVL Bus, 4x16Bit ISA, 1x8Bit ISA
AMI (Amercian Megatrends Inc)
3½" 1.44Mb and 5¼" 1.2Mb
Cirrus Logic 1MB LOCAL BUS VGA Card
TP250NL 14" Non Interlaced Low Radiation SVGA
Colour
Desktop, 200W power Supply
[Add $45.00 for Mini Tower]
[Add $195.00 for Full Tower]
101 Enhanced
COM1, COM2, LPT1, Joystick.
T P 4 8 6 - 5 0 D X ISA
INTEL 486DX-50
128K (exp 256K)
4Mb (exp to 128MB)
Nortons SI=
Landmark=
ISA
AMI (Amercian Megatrends Inc)
3½" 1.44Mb and 5¼" 1.2Mb
Cirrus Logic 1MB Windows Accelerator Card
TP250NL 14" Non Interlaced Low Radiation SVGA Colour
Hard Disk
130MB
245MB
525MB
Specifications
Microprocessor
Cache
Memory
Benchmarks
Bus
BIOS
Floppy Disk(s)
Controllers
Video
Monitor
Case
Keyboard
Std Interfaces
Options
Incl GST
2715.00
2880.00
4050.00
Shipping
35.00
35.00
35.00
Total
2750.00
2915.00
4085.00
T P 4 8 6 - 3 3 D X Local Bus
INTEL 486DX-33
128K (exp 256K)
4Mb (exp to 128MB)
Nortons SI=71.4
Landmark=110.4Mhz
2xVL Bus, 4x16Bit ISA, 1x8Bit ISA
AMI (Amercian Megatrends Inc)
3½" 1.44Mb and 5¼" 1.2Mb
2MB IDE LOCAL BUS CACHE CONTROLLER or
ISA SCSI Controller (dependant on drive choice)
Cirrus Logic 1MB LOCAL BUS VGA Card
TP250NL 14" Non Interlaced Low Radiation SVGA
Colour
Desktop, 200W power Supply
[Add $45.00 for Mini Tower]
[Add $195.00 for Full Tower]
101 Enhanced
COM1, COM2, LPT1, Joystick.
Hard Disk
130MB
245MB
Incl GST
3660.00
3825.00
Shipping
35.00
35.00
98
Total
3695.00
3860.00
Desktop, 200W power Supply
[Add $45.00 for Mini Tower]
[Add $195.00 for Full Tower]
101 Enhanced
COM1, COM2, LPT1, Joystick.
Hard Disk
Shipping
Incl GST
None
2130.00
35.00
130MB
2530.00
35.00
245MB
2695.00
35.00
525MB
3765.00
35.00
Total
2165.00
2565.00
2730.00
3800.00
Desktop, 200W power Supply
[Add $45.00 for Mini Tower]
[Add $195.00 for Full Tower]
101 Enhanced
COM1, COM2, LPT1, Joystick.
2Mb 16bit IDE CACHING Controller add $350.00
Hard Disk
Shipping
Incl GST
Total
130MB
3765.00
35.00
3800.00
245MB
3935.00
35.00
3970.00
525MB
5200.00
35.00
5235.00
1050MB
6245.00
35.00
6180.00
T P 4 8 6 - 6 6 D X / 2 Local Bus
INTEL 486DX/2-66
128K (exp 256K)
4Mb (exp to 128MB)
Nortons SI=128.7
Landmark=223Mhz
2xVL Bus, 4x16Bit ISA, 1x8Bit ISA
AMI (Amercian Megatrends Inc)
3½" 1.44Mb and 5¼" 1.2Mb
2MB IDE LOCAL BUS CACHE CONTROLLER or
ISA SCSI Controller (dependant on drive choice)
Cirrus Logic 1MB LOCAL BUS VGA Card
TP250NL 14" Non Interlaced Low Radiation SVGA Colour
Desktop, 200W power Supply
[Add $45.00 for Mini Tower]
[Add $195.00 for Full Tower]
101 Enhanced
COM1, COM2, LPT1, Joystick.
Choice of SCSI or IDE on 525MB-2GB Options.
Hard Disk
Shipping
Incl GST
Total
130MB
4440.00
35.00
4475.00
245MB
4620.00
35.00
4655.00
525MB
1050MB
4995.00
6120.00
35.00
35.00
5030.00
6155.00
525MB
1050MB
4775.00
6850.00
35.00
35.00
5810.00
6885.00
TOTAl PERIPHERALS DESKTOP PC'S
Specifications
Microprocessor
Cache
Memory
Benchmarks
Bus
BIOS
Floppy Disk(s)
Controllers
Video
Monitor
Case
Keyboard
Std Interfaces
T P 4 8 6 - 2 5 S X EISA Local Bus
T P 4 8 6 - 5 0 D X EISA
INTEL 486SX-25
INTEL 486DX-50 (Socket for Wietek 4167)
128k (exp to 256k)
128k (exp to 256k)
4Mb exp to 128Mb
4Mb exp to 128Mb
Nortons SI=
Nortons SI=
Landmark=
Landmark=
2xVL LBus 5x32bit EISA
8x32bit EISA
AMI (Amercian Megatrends Inc)
AMI (Amercian Megatrends Inc)
3½" 1.44Mb and 5¼" 1.2Mb
3½" 1.44Mb and 5¼" 1.2Mb
Cirrus Logic 1MB LOCAL BUS VGA Card
Cirrus Logic 1MB Windows Accelerator Card
TP250NL 14" Non Interlaced Low Radiation SVGA
TP250NL 14" Non Interlaced Low Radiation SVGA Colour.
Colour.
2MB 32 Bit EISA IDE CACHE CONTROLLER or
2MB 32 Bit EISA IDE CACHE CONTROLLER or
32 Bit EISA SCSI Controller (dependant on drive choice)
32 Bit EISA SCSI Controller (dependant on drive choice)
Desktop, 200W power Supply
Desktop, 200W power Supply
[Add $45.00 for Mini Tower]
[Add $45.00 for Mini Tower]
[Add $195.00 for Full Tower]
[Add $195.00 for Full Tower]
101 Enhanced keyboard
101 Enhanced keyboard
COM1, COM2, LPT1, Joystick.
COM1, COM2, LPT1, Joystick.
Hard Disk
Incl GST
Shipping
Total
Hard Disk
Shipping
Incl GST
Total
130MB
3660.00
35.00
3695.00
130MB
4440.00
35.00
4475.00
245MB
3825.00
35.00
3860.00
245MB
4620.00
35.00
4655.00
525MB
4995.00
35.00
5030.00
525MB
4775.00
35.00
5810.00
1050MB
6120.00
35.00
6155.00
1050MB
6850.00
35.00
6885.00
TOTAl PERIPHERALS 486 NOTEBOOKS
The 486 Power Notebook - Designed, Engineered and Manufactured for those who appreciate quality, reliabilty and Performance.
Specifications
Microprocessor
Memory
Floppy Disk(s)
Video
Power
Optional Modem
BIOS
Keyboard
Std Interfaces
Dimensions
Weight
WARRANTY
T P 4 8 6 - 2 5 S X VGA Mono
INTEL 486SX-25
4Mb exp to 32Mb
Internal 3.5" 1.44Mb
VGA 640x480 10" 64 gray scale LCD CCFT backlight
T P 4 8 6 - 2 5 S X VGA Active Colour
INTEL 486SX-25
4Mb exp to 32Mb
Internal 3.5" 1.44Mb
VGA 640x480x256 Col TFT 10" LCD with CCFT
backlight
Internal "Rapid" Rechargable Nicad
Internal "Rapid" Rechargable Nicad
Mono VGA 3hrs or 8hrs under management.
Colour VGA 2hrs or 6hrs under management.
Full Integrated Power Management
Full Integrated Power Management
110-240 AUTO Sense AC Adaptor
110-240 AUTO Sense AC Adaptor
Optional Internal fax/modem, PCMCIA Card.
Optional Internal fax/modem, PCMCIA Card.
Phoenix Bios A486 Version 1.03
Phoenix Bios A486 Version 1.03
84/85 key low profile keyboard + built in trackball
84/85 key low profile keyboard + built in trackball
9pin COM1, Parallel, ext VGA, ext KBD, Expansion Port
9pin COM1, Parallel, ext VGA, ext KBD, Expansion Port
290mmx216mmX46mm
290mmx216mmX46mm
2.6kg inclusive of battery
2.6kg inclusive of battery
12 month return to Total Peripherals
12 month return to Total Peripherals
Hard Disk
Incl GST
Shipping
Total
Hard Disk
Shipping
Incl GST
Total
120MB
4160.00
20.00
4180.00
120MB
6675.00
20.00
6695.00
SUNRACE 486 NOTEBOOKS
Notes:
Sunrace Notebooks Marketed by Mitsubishi.
Specifications
Microprocessor
Memory
Floppy Disk(s)
Video
Power
Optional Modem
Std Interfaces
& Accessories
Dimensions
Weight
WARRANTY
T P 4 8 6 - 2 5 SLC, 25DLC, 33DLC and 50DX/2
See Table Below for SLC, DLC, DX/2 Options
4Mb exp to 8MB for SLC or20MB for DLC or DX/2
Internal 3.5" 1.44Mb
VGA 640x480 10" 64 gray scale LCD CCFT backlight
Optional Internal fax/modem.
9pin COM1, Parallel, ext VGA, ext KBD, External
8000x600x256 VGA Port, PS/2 Mouse & SCSI
Carry Bag,
290mmx216mmX46mm
2.6kg inclusive of battery
99
Additional
Processor
486 SLX 25
486 SLX 25
486 DLC 25
486 DLC 25
486 DLC 33
486 DLC 33
486 DX/2 50
486 DX/2 50
DLC's and DX/2's also supplied with SCSI Cable, PS/2
Mouse, Card and External keyboard adaptors.
Hard Disk
85MB
128MB
85MB
128MB
85MB
128MB
85MB
128MB
Incl GST
3895.00
4195.00
4595.00
4925.00
5495.00
6000.00
6500.00
6845.00
Shipping
15.00
15.00
15.00
15.00
15.00
15.00
15.00
15.00
Total
3910.00
4210.00
4610.00
4945.00
5410.00
6015.00
6515.00
6860.00
SUNRACE ACCESSORIES
Battery Set - spare for DLC and DX/2
Ext SCSI Cable - all models
Internal 2400, 9600 snd/rcx fax -all models
Memory Card (DIPP) for DLC and DX/2. 0k RAM
180.00
52.00
402.75
49.95
Memory Upgrade as above but populated 4MB
Power Supply -spare for SLC - autoswitch
SLC Car Adaptor,charge Nicads or use 12v batt
720.00
175.00
55.00
Prices Include GST, Add $6.00 for freight
LASER PRINTERS - PANASONIC & OKI
Panasonic KX-P4430
1825.00
5ppm, PCL5, Satin Print, Dual Bin Option, 200 sht
Multisize Cassette. 8 scalable fonts. Free 116
true type fonts for Windows.
OKI OL800
1695.00
8ppm, 512k Single Bin, PCL5
Panasonic KX-P4430
5ppm, PCL4, Dual Bin Option, 200 sht Multisize
Cassette. 28 internal fonts. Free 116 true type
fonts for Windows.
1475.00
Prices Include GST, Add $15.00 for freight
LASER AND DESKJET PRINTERS, PLOTTERS - HEWLETT PACKARD
Hp LaserJet 4L
1795.00
300dpi plus Resolution Enhancement Technology
(RET) 4ppm, 1MB plus Memory Enhancement
Technology (MET), PCL5, Microtoner, 26 scalable
typefaces, Economode Printing reduces toner
to save up to 50% on consumables. 100 sht
paper handling
Hp LaserJet 4
600 dpi plus Resolution Enhancement Technology
(RET), Micofine Toner for better blacks and grey
scales. 45 internal fonts, (35 intellifont + 10 TTF)
8ppm, fast RISC processor. 2MB RAM exp to 34
MB using SIMM. 250 Sht/10 envelope feeder.
Hp DeskJet 500
300 dpi near laser quality, 120cps LQ, 240cps
draft. 16kb buffers, portrait & landscape,
Parallel and Serial Ports. 100 A4 shts, envelopes
Hp Deskjet 550C (Colour)
300 dpi near laser quality, 80kb buffer, Portrait &
Llandscape, Simultaneous Black & Colour Printing.
Parallel and Serial Ports. 100 A4 shts, envelopes
Prices Include GST, Add $15.00 for freight
100
Appendix C – The defining ‘Killer’ apps?
The following applications I believe beat the path for the apps we use today, I’m not referring to
apps that still exist like AutoCAD, Photoshop etc. These are apps that influenced me and he
decisions I took. They are not necessarily the same that shaped the world - but should be close. So
in no particular order then

Originally for Apple this app was ported to many different platforms incl PC. It used the classic cell
structure and some formulas used by Excel today. Was released late 70’s on Apples and a few
years later on PC’s.
A Few years later Lotus released 1-2-3 even more closely related to Excel. It would be this I
learned
on
which
paved
the
way
to
my
Excel
skills.
101
I spent thousands of hours developing in this environment. Both dBase iii on CP/M’s and dBase iii
on Pc’s, plus the less successful iv. Also worth mentioning Rapidfile from the same company,
Ashton Tate, and Clipper and FoxPro. Before the decade was out would become Xbase & Xbase +
+
.
Preferred Wp of the early eighties before being left
behind by
WordPerfect then Word.
I’ve included this although just a casual user this because it had its passionate followers. I
switched to MS Word a few years later and have never looked back. Available first as a standalone DOS app then for Windows. It never had the market share and after changing companies is
still
avail
today.
102
Available first in DOS and then Windows, I only used the DOS version. The largest commercial
app I compiled was for IRD and was a personnel development planner.
103
I’ve included because it had a real impact on my future programming prowess. I had written a
viable and commercial app as well as dozens of utility’s I released to Public Domain.
Interestingly Borland has released three early versions free of charge. I believe mine was the first
ver 1.0
104
Appendix D – Early advertising
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106
107
Appendix E – My early websites
Surely the first site ever designed by me needs its own page!`
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109
110
111
112
Appendix F – Business card evolvement
Of course I designed each and every one. Supplying commercial printers the artwork.
What else did you expect?
FIRST bus card circa 1993.
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LAST, 20ys later circa 2013
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Appendix G – Man of leisure
Optional
but
I
hope
worthwhile
reading.
I was fortunate that by being self-employed I could decide when I could take some
time out and when to do my 8+ hour stints. It was quite common that I would work
the wee small hours. Going to bed at 2 or 3am was not uncommon. This was when
this night owl was at his best. That time was very peaceful; everyone else would be
asleep, no interruptions, no phones ringing! Besides that, it would be an opportune
time to bring a server down, no- one around!
So mostly the daytime was my own. Depending on the weather, or whether I was on
call, etc, determined what I would do. On a nice, warm, sunny day I would go
fishing, jet boating or motorcycle riding. I loved all three equally. Riders will know
that feeling of freedom, the wind in your face; well, it also applies to the other two
as well. That old adage of ‘time spent fishing not being deducted from ones
lifespan’ I hope proves true because I’ve done a lot, both fly in rivers and sea fishing.
I had a Hamilton J53 with a deep v hull but flat bottom from mid 70’s. It was at
home both in shallow waters and rough seas. I sold it regrettably with this ad
‘ Heres a pretty original Hamilton J53 (17ft?) 2 stage, with factory installed marinised Ford
Granada 3L V6. This is the sea trial version with 17 deg hull deadrise and its more
seaworthy as a result. In its day I had many, many a good time on the water and was
never let down until the day the carb developed a big leak and the old girl has been sitting
ever since for 8 yrs!, tsk tsk I know but it was covered for 5 years! - but yes it now needs
some
TLC
for
sure.
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The good news is the entire hull and superstructure is in sound undamaged or repaired
condition, just some damage to the step cover over nozzle unit is about all. The motor &
jet unit were both working fine as indeed everything was when it was last parked up. In
fact both received attention 12 or so years ago (not long in sea running hour terms), I
recall valve seats, new seals & bearings on jet unit, new uj's in drive shaft, new manifold
gaskets, water & oil lines replaced etc. Still has all the front squabs in good order. Got
some manuals (jet & motor) & perhaps a side badge or two somewhere.
Certainly the worst part is the trailer, its really on its last legs and while it will get you home
(at night!) a new trailer is likely required if warrants etc are sought.
I will be avail August 5-7 to assist with moving it (putting air in tyres, removing clamps,
and installing tow ball again). It shouldn't take much to get it on the water again so heres
your chance for a cheap jet dive or fishing boat that handles the sea well.
P.S: Carb is here somewhere and will be supplied tho its a common weber 2 barrel.
ALSO AVAIL: Prev installed access, lge baitboard, 3x stainless rocket launcher rack,
Hummingbird Wide fishfinder, AM/FM cassette marinised radio and VHF radio (all quite
modern)”
Funny thing I offered/sold it to a business acquaintance right. Two or three years
later he had cooked the inlet manifold, thus overheating the motor. I thought it
would be perfect for the bach which had fresh water running into the briny on north
islands west coast, so I bought it back for a 1/3 of what I sold it for. I did the work it
needed but never did use it again because the offshore winds lent itself to kite and
kontiki launches. They and the bach came with an ultralight alloy and brand new
3.5hp longshaft.
Enough of the fishing, on not so fine days I would spend time in any of 4 man caves.
Here I would restore classic cars and bikes.
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Incidentally, that bike sold for 65k. Of course the ‘ole 55’ Lincoln and even 70’
ElCamino were in demand for weddings. Hey the more invites the better. Free food
and drinks! I was known and often called upon by vintage car clubs and nuts to
refurb their old car radios. Word got around that I wasn’t afraid of solid state or
valve (tube) technologies. Though the older and more obscure the better!
I also specialized in Bakelite repairs, know what that material is?
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I had (have) a fascination with very simple but effective radio sets of vintage ilk. Like
were made by experimenters in the 40’s say. The stipulation was to use the fewest
number of components, wind own coils and to recycle by using stuff that would
have been avail at that time. It was to be reproducible in any workshop
environment with no specilized tools. I would design then build. I would also add to
my collection by purchasing others’ ‘home brew’ one-of-a-kind sets.
These were built around rca’s 49 valves which would run in space charge mode at
plate voltages as low as 6-9v though 2 or 3 9v batts in series would give superior
performance.
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I was a hoarder and collector if you will. I’ve mentioned already I had four man
caves. Two of these would house my radio workshop. I collected among many
things; what were known as ‘boatanchors’. Big, heavy communications receivers. A
real electromechanical challenge. I would restore each lovingly before displaying.
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Another passion was hy-briding. People often bought ornate sets unseen in the
flesh from auction sites in the hope they could be restored. Because they looked so
pretty on the outside, they were often saved from the tip and kept purely for nonworking display pieces. Along comes Joe, he likes what he sees, and even if interior
is shot, he doesn’t know what has looking at. So he bids frantically, unbeknown to
him the guts have been cut out and many parts are missing. Much to his chagrin, he
only learns this thru another radio tech who advises it’s too far gone, beyond
economic repair (BER) we would say. What now?
This is where I came in. With a waiting list 6ft long, I would be terribly fussy about
what I would take on. Unless terribly rare, a sentimental family unit etc, usually if it
wasn’t Bakelite or Art Deco styling, forget it. If I did take it on, a hefty fee was
charged 500-$1000+. What I would do is graft a $5 transistor radio in, feed it a low
regulated dc supply from the valve rectifier (so it was controlled from normal on/off
switch), and feed it to the valve audio amps to preserve that valve sound and warmup. The advantage being now could be FM, the disadvantage being it was fixed on
their fav station only, i.e. no tuning. In later attempts I used transistor PCB’s that
had ‘stalked’ controls that I would couple to original controls thru tape mech rubber
belts. Thus the volume and tuning could all be set. (Yes, that’s Kevin M**ne.)
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While I’ve been clean for 4 years now I will shamefully admit I was a fond and
successful indoor cannabis grower in traditional soils and Led array lighting. Christ
no, I didn’t sell it, didn’t need the money, would just give away. I knew I was dumb
enough
smoking
let
alone
selling!
I list the pros and cons
1. it had a lower yield than high pressure (HP) bulbs
2. longer growing cycle period
3. less potent
but who cares about those three if not selling?
1. Far less heat (no discernible heat signature) so gentle on plants
2. Little or no ventilation needed
3. And, importantly, far less smell.
4. Because low temp, soil doesn’t need watering as often
5. Lower voltage. Not lethal esp around water
6. Very long life.
I would build into a stealthy gutted out fridge and combine with a couple of fluoros.
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I was also an avid outdoor grower and partaker of tobacco. In fact its growing in my
patio right now. No, I no longer smoke, but it’s a self-seeding robust plant with
pretty pink bell like flowers. Virginia blend, so tolerant thus EZ to grow and very
moorish. The key to success is P.A.I.T.E.N.C.E, dry those suckers very slowly. They
must have 2 things, leaves that are mature, and age to cure. Select material already
wilting and yellowing. If you’re hanging out, buy a pack, don’t be tempted to, say,
microwave it, because it will become harsh and un-smokable. Before hanging to dry
stack on each other and shuffle daily to cure. The longer both these processes take
the better. I was stricken before I could experiment with flavouring so can’t
comment there, but I enjoyed the unadulterated flavour anyway.
I grew veg’s as well, starting them quickly from seed of previous year under the
fridge lights. This would cut the germination time from 10-14 days to just days,
often overnight! Anyway, that’s another book, and is. Grass is Greener, get from
http://www.imstroked.com/grass-is-greener.html
Music of many genres, was, and is, very important to me. Not the compressed
nonsense shouting crap we can download digitally today, the stuff with lyrics you
can hear and understand, 70’s and 80’s stuff. FLAC if digital but preferred analogue,
i.e. Vinyl (records, LP’S). The predecessor to the CD disk. I remember them coming
out, I was in the ‘yeah but nah camp’, I had splinters from fence sitting. Today they
are gradually phasing out in favour of digitally compressed downloadable tracks and
albums. Pity, CDs are compressed but nowhere to that extent.
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I literally owned dozens of amps and dozens of speakers, seeking that nirvana. Then
it occurred to me, while I was seeking that perfect reproduction, the real essence of
enjoyment
was
being
overlooked.
The
music
itself!
Talk about having blinkers on, not seeing the forest for the trees. I was so busy
being anal about what I heard I wasn’t noticing WHAT I heard! Still it was fun and
challenging while it lasted. Today I have no problem listening to MP3’s (compressed)
no longer dwelling on the negatives, just enjoying it. I wasn’t always like that,
preferring not to restrict or modify a stream by using and designing the simplest of
amps, adopting a ‘more is less’ policy, i.e. the less components the less the audio is
‘processed’
analogy.
There was a notable difference between solid state and valve (tube) technologies. I
preferred the latter. LESS power MORE refinement or purity. I restored classic
vintage audio, marquee greats but something was always missing. So I designed and
built them myself from scratch. My latest and best design I think had a component
count of just 14 parts. I reproduce here in the hope someone can build and keep
this dying art alive?
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Today’s config consists of 8k tannoy stirlings and venerable Cambridge Audio 851C
but still enjoy this very amp each Sat and Sun.
I’m a firm believer that today’s youth has never listened to music in all its glory. It’s
just something you can’t get on your iPod. Sound so authorative, a bandwidth so
wide you think your hearts going to stop and your brain will bleed out your ears.
Seriously, when a stormy/rainy passage like ‘Riders on the Storm’ comes on, and
you’re scared, running for shelter, when you’re already inside, you’ll know what I
mean.
I became an accidental landlord, having bought the rear section next door. I
originally bought only because I wanted backyard (sheds) for mine. A landlocked
20m2 piece of land next door with no access except thru me allowed me to keep
backyard on my side, while maintaining minimum of size on the other.
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I soon had my hands full, restoring not one but two properties. I had not finished
before my stroke hit and it remains that way today!
There was also shooting, hunting, duck shooting, guitar playing, but let’s stop
already, I would try anything, a serviceman of any kind being a rare commodity
indeed. Hot water cylinders, washing machines. fridges, sat dishes you name it. I’m
sure you get the picture. I was extremely busy using what god blessed me with, a
brain connected to awesome hands. These days only one partially works, mostly my
typing finger. Ah well I’m grateful for just that!
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If a packet hits a pocket on a socket on a port, and the bus is interrupted at a
very last resort, and the access of the memory makes your floppy disk abort
then the socket packet pocket has an error to report. If your cursor finds a
menu item followed by a dash, and the double-clicking icon puts your window
in the trash, and your data is corrupted cause the index doesn't hash, then
your situation's hopeless and your system's gonna crash!
If the label on the cable on the table at your house, says the network is
connected to the button on your mouse, but your packets want to tunnel to
another protocol, that's repeatedly rejected by the printer down the hall.
And your screen is all distorted by the side effects of gauss, so your icons in
the window are as wavy as a souse; then you may as well reboot and go out
with a bang, 'cuz sure as I'm a poet, the sucker's gonna hang.
When the copy on your floppy's getting sloppy in the disk, and the macro
code instructions is causing unnecessary risk, then you'll have to flash the
memory and you'll want to RAM your ROM, and then quickly turn off the
computer and be sure to tell your Mum!
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