When I was a youngster growing up, there was a computer that intrigued me. Unfortunately it was hideously expensive. Also when one thinks of my disturbing obsession with my PalmPilot, my interest in this computer was a scary precurser for my sad, sad life now!
This computer shared alot of the similarities with the PalmPilot now. It has an Address Book, a built-in Text Editor, an Appointment Book. What it had that a PalmPilot doesn't is a built-in modem (at a frightning speed of 300 baud), & a full travel keyboard. It also only had 24K (expandable to 32K) & an 8-bit processor! Chuck in 20 hours battery life on 4 AA batteries & you can start to see its advantages over modern laptops.
This computer was released in 1983, and a thinner, lighter model was released in 1986 (with no change to the hardware).
Time marches on, and this computer is no longer worth the NZ$1690 it was in 1987. In fact they stopped being made in 1991.
What is the name of this wonderous little computer? Its name is the Tandy 102! It is the only Microsoft OS computer I currently own!
So how on earth would one get hold of something so old? eBay of course!!! For US$25 I recently picked one up. If you want a Tandy with more guarantee's about its ability to function, then buy a reconditioned one from the Club 100 site. It is a magnificent little machine!
Some cool sites with software and information about the Tandy are:
Just how useful is the Tandy 102? Well for starters everything I have written so far on this page was on the Tandy and transferred to my Linux desktop using Minicom and the XModem protocol!
I've even posted a review of my Tandy 102 on the Gadgeteer site here or click on logo below!
If you want to support Club 100 , then buy some branded merchandise from the CafePress.com store! I brought the T-Shirt & its great!
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Transferring files between Tandy & CF card on Handera
I was so stoked when I got this to work! The tools you need to get this working are a XModem application for the Tandy. I found one located on the Club 100 site here. You also need on the Handera an application called CFX located here. Note that CFX will only work on a TRGPro/Handera device.
To get this set up working, follow these instructions:
- First you need a serial hotsync cable for the Handera. You could also use your hotsync cradle.
- For the Tandy->Handera you will need a 25M->9M port adapter
- With CFX on the Handera, set the baud rate to something low, for example 2400.
- Go into the XModem app on the Tandy & press F3 for STAT & key in 68N1E (for 2400 baud).
- In the XModem app, go into TERM mode on the Tandy (F7), then into XMod mode (F7 again). Press Return on the Tandy & you should now see the CFX:/ prompt that tells you that you now have access to the CF card on the Handera.
- To transfer a ASCII file from the Tandy to the CF card, at the CFX prompt type "rx [name_of_file]". This sets up CFX to receive a file via the XModem protocol. Then on the Tandy choose "Send" in the XModem app, choosing the file you wish to send on the Tandy.
All very easy! To send a file from the CF card to the Tandy you do the reverse to point 6.
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As you can see, the Tandy 102 is a remarkable little computer. Considering it is nearly 20 years old, to think that it can still interface with so many modern PC systems, and still be useful, speaks volumes for its design. It was definitely way ahead of its time.
