[simpits-tech] Dell Poweredge Computers

[Simon Bennett]

These things ain't just dumb terminals, they're full-fledged laptops. About 
the size of a VCR. Weigh over 20 lbs. I've got two of them, plus a couple 
other models. The 1537s are 386s, with 4 megs of RAM. Mine don't have 
harddrives. All inside a magnesium alloy case. Mine weren't demilled in 
anyway except by the removal of the hard disk (which just slides in and out 
of the side on a tray). I took one apart, and everything was wrapped in 
copper foil to prevent any kind of electromagnetic emissions. Everything's 
made out of machined aluminum. I can't even begin to guess what these things 
cost the government. I was going to have one or two running the cockpit 
displays. I don't have pics, but if you've seen the Aliens director's cut, 
the computers running the sentry guns are older, but nearly identical 
models. I think those were 8086s.

Assuming you did lob one out of a trebuchet, it'd probably do little more 
than scratch the finish. There's a story about a careless soldier dropping 
one out of a helicopter, onto the tarmac, and it still working perfectly 
afterwards. The hard drives probably wouldn't withstand the shock, but I 
think that one was a GRiD Compass (the first clamshell laptop ever), which 
used bubble memory for data storage.

>From: Gene Buckle <geneb at deltasoft.com>
>Reply-To: Simulator Cockpit tech list <simpits-tech at simpits.org>
>To: Simulator Cockpit tech list <simpits-tech at simpits.org>
>Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] Dell Poweredge Computers
>Date: Thu, 30 Sep 2004 07:05:59 -0700 (PDT)
>
> > I think you'd better scrap the simpit and see if you can construct a
> > trebuchet instead.
> > You should toss over a couple of my GRiDCase 1537 TEMPESTs, just for 
>good
> > measure. I don't think they have modems though I know the civilian 
>models
> > have 'em. Screams down the telephone lines at 2400 baud. Mine still 
>work,
> > too.
> >
>Moving a TEMPEST rated VT100 is an experience you shouldn't miss. :)  Got
>pics?
>
> >
> > I guess I'd better introduce myself. I've been lurking for a few months
> > under a different e-mail address. I haven't had time to do anything to 
>build
> > a 'pit besides scratch out a few sketches and diagrams since I just 
>moved.
> > Hopefully that will change soon. As a high school student I don't have 
>much
> > time on my hands, but I've been playing flight sims for as long as I can
> > remember. I literally grew up on B-17 Flying Fortress, Aces of the 
>Pacific,
> > Stunt Island, and all those other classics no one seems to remember. 
>It's
> > always been a life-long dream of mine to fly, but I'm too nearsighted 
>for
> > the military and I can't afford a Private Pilot's license, so here I am.
> >
>
>Welcome to the asylum!  If memory serves, theres a Me262 being built and
>at least one Me109.
>
>g.
>
>
>--
>"I'm not crazy, I'm plausibly off-nominal!"
>
>Proud owner of 80-0007
>http://www.f15sim.com - The only one of its kind.
>
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