Re: Commodore and Apple

[Edward Greeley <etgreeley@att.net>]

Umm...   The "Challenger" was but one of several models of Ohio 
Scientific (OSI) computers. It was a dual processor machine using a 6502 
and (IIRC) a 6800. I never owned one. OSI's most basic machine was the 
C1P; a single board 6502-based machine with 8K of RAM, M$ BASIC in ROM, 
video display circuitry to drive a TTL display, and keyboard all on the 
board. It was easily expandable via the convenient and CHEAP molex 
connectors that brought out the necessary data, memory, and control 
lines on the board. It could be bought as the populated board alone 
(possibly also as a kit; I don't remember), or mounted in a nice sheet 
metal aluminum, Apple-like case complete with a linear power supply. I 
still have one - and it still works! I got the C1P after I sold my 
original 8K, 40 column, "Chiclet keyboard" PET (stupid move in 
retrospect, should've kept the PET AND bought the OSI!). I always 
thought it was a shame that OSI folded after only two or three years in 
business; mainly, I think, due to insufficient marketing funds and 
ability. They were pretty far advanced for their time with dual 
processor machines, floppy disk systems that worked, a crude DOS that 
worked, etc. They may even have had a hard disk system that worked, but 
I don't remember for sure.

The KIM 1, SYM 1, and (IIRC) the AIM 65 were not really "computers" as 
we now know them, they were prototyping or 
experimenting/teaching/learning devices.