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Thunderware ThunderClock
Apple II system clocks, also known as real-time clocks, were devices in the early years of microcomputing. A clock/calendar did not become standard in the Apple II line of computers until 1986 with the introduction of the Apple IIGS. Although many productivity programs as well as the ProDOS operating system implemented time and date functions, users would have to manually enter this information every time they turned the computer on. Power users often had their Apple II's peripheral slots completely filled with expansion cards, so third party vendors came up with alternative approaches with products like the Serial Pro and No-Slot Clock. No-Slot Clock (Dallas Semiconductor) The No-Slot Clock, also known as the Dallas Smartwatch (DS1216E), was a 28-pin chip-like device that could be used directly in any Apple II or Apple II compatible with a 28-pin Read-only memory, ROM. Dallas Semiconductor produced the device as an easy implementation for a real-time clock for a variety of appli ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Real-time Clock
A real-time clock (RTC) is an electronic device (most often in the form of an integrated circuit) that measures the passage of time. Although the term often refers to the devices in personal computers, server (computing), servers and embedded systems, RTCs are present in almost any electronic device which needs to keep accurate time of day. Terminology The term ''real-time clock'' is used to avoid confusion with ordinary clock signal, hardware clocks which are only signals that govern digital electronics, and do not count time in human units. RTC should not be confused with real-time computing, which shares its three-letter acronym but does not directly relate to time of day. Purpose Although keeping time can be done without an RTC, using one has benefits: * Reliably maintains and provides current time through disruptive system states such as Hang (computing), hangs, Sleep mode, sleep, reboots, or if given sufficient backup power, full Shutdown (computing), shutdown and hardwa ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Applied Engineering
Applied Engineering, headquartered in Carrollton, Texas, was a leading third-party hardware vendor for Apple II computers from the early 1980s until the mid-1990s. History {{original research, section, date=September 2018 In its day, Applied Engineering built a solid reputation among Apple II owners for their innovation, excellent build quality, and generous warranty support. AE was quick to fill in gaps in the market for Apple II add-on boards and expansion options, often developing products for the Apple II line that neither Apple Computer nor other third-party vendors offered. By the early 1990s, as Apple Inc., Apple Computer, Inc., began to withdraw support for the Apple II series and focus on the Mac (computer), Macintosh line, the market for Apple II hardware and software began to wane. Many Apple II users began to migrate to other platforms, such as the Macintosh and IBM PC-compatibles. In an attempt to capitalize on its well-known brand name among previous Apple II o ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Comrex International
Comrex is an American corporation that designs and manufactures equipment for radio and television broadcasting. Beginnings Comrex was founded in 1961 by John Cheney, a broadcast engineer. His mission, as outlined in Comrex's inaugural press release, is "to apply advanced state of the art knowledge and techniques to the production of high quality, practical equipment which can be operated by non-technical personnel.” Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Comrex developed audio products for the television market. In 1968, founder John Cheney developed Models 7035 and 7040 receivers for wireless microphone systems. In 1973, the 450 RA/TA wireless microphone system, designed for TV news, is the first to enable reporters to move more than 1000 feet from the camera. In 1975, The Comrex wireless cue system, composed of the CTA cue transmitter and the CRA (now LPQRA) receiver, enables field reporters and producers to hear production audio and instructions, without a wired connection to ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Practical Peripherals
Practical Peripherals, Inc., was a private American computer peripheral manufacturer active from 1981 to 1999 and based in Los Angeles County. Founded by Michael Seedman, the company specialized in telecommunications products, primarily modems, for personal computers. Seedman led the company from its inception in 1981 until 1993, after Practical Peripherals was sold to Hayes Microcomputer Products. The company ventured into the market with print buffers under the Microbuffer brand, offering various forms tailored for different systems and needs. Around 1985, the company expanded its product line by introducing modems, under the brand name Practical Modem (PM). In 1989, Practical was acquired by Hayes, who kept the company around as a subsidiary until 1999, when Hayes themselves were bought out by Zoom Telephonics. History Pre-acquisition (1981–1989) Practical Peripherals, Inc., was incorporated in 1981 by Michael S. Seedman in Westlake Village, California, as a manufacturer of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Prometheus Products
Prometheus Products, Inc. was an American computer peripheral manufacturer active from 1981 to 1996. The company primarily manufactured modems and sound cards for personal computers for the bulk of its existence. History Prometheus Products was incorporated in Fremont, California, in January 1981. The company was founded to capitalize on Apple II home computers by providing peripherals and other add-on products. In 1984, the company began focusing on the production of modems, following a breakthrough in modem design developed within Prometheus that allowed the relatively inexpensive Intel 8031 to be used as a digital signal processor. This replaced the need for numerous analog devices for signal processing circuits customary in modem design at the time. In 1984, the company's board of directors hired Tom McShane as chairman of the company; he shortly after expanded the company to occupy two buildings, including a production factory and a research and development company, within F ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hayes Microcomputer Products
Hayes Microcomputer Products was a US-based manufacturer of modems. The company is known for the Smartmodem, which introduced a control language for operating the functions of the modem via the serial interface, in contrast to manual operation with front-panel switches. This ''smart modem'' approach dramatically simplified and automated operation. Today almost all modems use a variant of the Hayes AT command set. Hayes was a major brand in the modem market from the introduction of the original 300 bit/s Smartmodem in 1981. They remained a major vendor throughout the 1980s, periodically introducing models with higher throughput. Their competition through this period was primarily from two other high-end vendors, USRobotics and Telebit, while other companies mostly sold into niches or were strictly low-end offerings. In the early 1990s a number of greatly cost-reduced high-performance modems were released by competitors, notably the SupraFAXModem 14400 in 1992, which eroded pri ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
X10 (industry Standard)
X10 is a protocol for communication among electronic devices used for home automation (''domotics''). It primarily uses electric power transmission, power line wiring for signaling and control, where the signals involve brief radio frequency bursts representing Digital data, digital information. A wireless radio-based protocol transport is also defined. X10 was developed in 1975 by Pico Electronics of Glenrothes, Scotland, in order to allow remote control of home devices and appliances. It was the first general purpose home automation network technology and remains the most widely available. Although a number of higher-bandwidth (computing), bandwidth alternatives exist, X10 remains popular in the home environment with millions of units in use worldwide, and inexpensive availability of new components. History In 1970, a group of engineers started a company in Glenrothes, Scotland called Pico Electronics. The company developed the first single chip calculator. When calculator ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Alkaline Battery
An alkaline battery (IEC code: L) is a type of primary battery where the electrolyte (most commonly potassium hydroxide) has a pH value above 7. Typically, these batteries derive energy from the reaction between zinc metal and manganese dioxide. Compared with zinc–carbon batteries of the Leclanché cell or zinc chloride types, alkaline batteries have a higher energy density and longer shelf life yet provide the same voltage. The alkaline battery gets its name because it has an alkaline electrolyte of potassium hydroxide (KOH) instead of the acidic ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) or zinc chloride (ZnCl2) electrolyte of the zinc–carbon batteries. Other battery systems also use alkaline electrolytes, but they use different active materials for the electrodes. alkaline batteries accounted for 80% of manufactured batteries in the US and over 10 billion individual units produced worldwide. In Japan, alkaline batteries accounted for 46% of all primary battery sales. In Switz ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mountain Computer
Mountain Computer, Inc. (also known as Mountain Hardware) was a privately held American computer peripheral manufacturer active as an independent company from 1977 to 1988. In its early years, the company chiefly developed products for the Apple II, including sound synthesizers, samplers, and hard disk and tape drives. Mountain also produced floppy disk duplicators for enterprise use. In the mid-1980s Mountain pivoted to focusing on products for the IBM Personal Computer and compatibles. In late 1988, the company was acquired by Nakamichi. History Mountain Computer was founded in 1977 by a group of private investors based in Santa Cruz, California, with $5,000 in cash. James Sedin, an Olympic medalist turned businessman, was asked to manage the company as its chief executive officer (CEO); he served that role until well after Mountain's acquisition in 1988, later being named as the company's president and chairman of the board as well as CEO. Mountain Computer was originally b ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Apple Inc
Apple Inc. is an American multinational corporation and technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California, in Silicon Valley. It is best known for its consumer electronics, software, and services. Founded in 1976 as Apple Computer Company by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne, the company was incorporated by Jobs and Wozniak as Apple Computer, Inc. the following year. It was renamed Apple Inc. in 2007 as the company had expanded its focus from computers to consumer electronics. Apple is the largest technology company by revenue, with billion in the 2024 fiscal year. The company was founded to produce and market Wozniak's Apple I personal computer. Its second computer, the Apple II, became a best seller as one of the first mass-produced microcomputers. Apple introduced the Lisa in 1983 and the Macintosh in 1984, as some of the first computers to use a graphical user interface and a mouse. By 1985, internal company problems led to Jobs leavin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Apple II Serial Cards
Apple II serial cards primarily use the serial RS-232 protocol. They most often were used for communicating with printers, modems, and less often for computer to computer data transfer. They can be programmed to interface with any number of external devices which were RS-232 compatible. Most serial cards have speed ranges starting from 110 bit/s up to 19,200 bit/s, however some can be modified to go much faster. The most popular and widely used of these cards was Apple Computer's Super Serial Card, a solid design that was often copied for maximum software compatibility of the end product. Apple II Communications Card (Apple Computer) The Apple II Communications Card is the original serial card from Apple Computer. Released in 1978 for $225, it was designed to work with modems utilizing acoustic couplers. It offered speeds of 110 and 300 bit/s but with a simple hardware modification (described in the manual accompanying the card) one could change this to 300 and 1200 bit/s, or 12 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
