1990's Workstation in Your Pocket
A project on Hackaday emulates a 1990s DECstation workstation with an RP2040 microcontroller, replicating features like a MIPS processor, UNIX OS, monochrome screen, USB peripherals, and Ethernet. The GitHub repository offers detailed information.
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In a nostalgic throwback to the 1990s, a project showcased on Hackaday emulates a DECstation workstation from that era using an RP2040 microcontroller. The DECstation line was known for its MIPS processor and UNIX-based operating systems. The emulation includes features like a monochrome screen with a resolution of 1024 x 864 pixels, USB keyboard and mouse, and Ethernet connectivity. The project aims to recreate the experience of using a high-end workstation from the early 1990s, highlighting the contrast in computing power and software demands between then and now. The GitHub repository for the project provides detailed information for those interested. The discussion in the comments section reminisces about other workstations of the time, like Sun workstations and NeXT systems, adding personal anecdotes and technical insights. Overall, the project offers a fun and educational way to revisit the computing landscape of the past using modern hardware.
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1 commentsMy first unix was Ultrix, so simple, so clean and fast...
A friend had an account on some magical server with no disk quota or other limits, but also no software. I found out to get access you had to get a normal "account request form", under the "VMS" and "MVS" lines you'd write the name of this machine and draw a box next to it... (and of course check that box).
The system had nothing on it but a C compiler... Built cnews, trn, kermit, elm, etc...
These days a system with a 12mhz cpu and 24mb of ram and a 300mb disk is less than a cable modem...
You never forget your first....
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